Underdogs take home the cadet shield
By Katina Curtis
CADETS from all three defence branches competed for the inaugural Tri‑service Cadet Shield on Saturday.
The competition was organised by the National Service and Combined Forces Association of Australia's (NS&CFAA) Canberra branch as a way of fostering the talents of young people.
NS&CFAA Canberra president Wal Beckhouse said the day had been fun and the 60 cadets involved had enjoyed themselves.
The naval TS Canberra unit unex­pectedly won the day, despite having the smallest group and lowest ranked members. They beat the 224 Army Cadet Unit and the 334 Squadron Air Force Cadets
Mr Beckhouse said the competition covered 10 categories ranging from presentation and bearing through to practical challenges.
These included tasks such as having to construct a parachute and container from drinking straws that could safely hold a mystery object (later revealed as an egg).
Each of the services also had to give a presentation on a topic of their choosing.
"The Navy won that hands down; one of the lasses had done a lot of research into the German Navy," Mr Beckhouse said.
"The bearing judging was to see if one side blew their cool halfway through, which no one did.
"They all wanted to be there and they were all happy with it." The competition was judged by Major General Peter Phillips (Retd). Group Captain Arthur Skinner (Retd) and Lieutenant Commander Peter McNay(Retd).
Most of the cadets had farnily members watching the competition. and Mr Beckhouse said man of the grandparents in particular enjoyed seeing the young people follow in tick service footsteps.
The tri‑service shield was presented to the naval team by Member for Canberra Annette Ellis.
It will become a perpetual trophy with the competition to be hosted annually and "go on for a long time". Mr Beckhouse said.