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Meriden cadets receive highest honour

CUO Adelaide Loane and WO1 Sophie Brennan

After months of hard work, two members of Meriden’s Cadet Executive, CUO Adelaide Loane and WO1 Sophie Brennan, have been bestowed with the highest accolade in the Cadets program – the National Adventure Training Award (ATA).

The award is the penultimate individual challenge in the Cadet program and is designed to assess senior cadets’ military and leadership skills while building confidence and independence.

To achieve this accolade, CUO Adelaide and WO1 Sophie completed a gruelling five-day camp in Lake Barrington, Tasmania, where the girls participated in field activities known to be the most physically demanding tasks that cadets can complete.

CUO Adelaide and WO1 Sophie completed activities such as mountain biking, kayaking, and canyoning, as well as a surprise first-aid challenge that involved triaging a mass casualty scenario. The camp culminated in a challenging nineteen-kilometre endurance hike across two steep mountain peaks.

Unwavering in the face of cold weather conditions, pouring rain and strong winds, the girls performed exceptionally well in the challenge and were presented with their ATA and subsequent “boomerang and torch” badge at the conclusion of the camp.

The Year 12 Meriden cadets are honoured to have received this special award in their final year of participating in the program.

“I am so proud to have successfully completed the award. It is testament to the excellent mentoring I have received from senior cadets and staff in the Trinity Grammar School Army Cadet Unit,” said CUO Adelaide.

Sophie said her award was a bonus to participating in a cocurricular activity that has given her so much.

“Participating in Cadets has been such a rewarding experience. I have had the opportunity to progress through the ranks and develop my teamwork skills, as well as invaluable leadership skills that I will continue to use well beyond School,” said WO1 Sophie.

Only fifty-four cadets from around Australia were invited to participate in the advanced training program. Before embarking on the challenge, the cadets were required to complete a rigorous testing process that involved passing written and practical examinations to ensure they met adequate levels of personal skill and fitness.

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