The Minister for Defence Materiel, Dr Mike Kelly, joined the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC), Navy personnel and community members in Jindabyne on Saturday to welcome the New Training Ship (NTS) Orion as a fully-operational cadet unit.
The “Standing-Up” of NTS Orion saw it commissioned as the Navy Cadets’ newest unit, and the only one in Eden-Monaro.
Dr Kelly, who also represented Parliamentary Secretary for Defence responsible for cadets, Senator David Feeney, said it was a momentous occasion and praised the efforts of the Jindabyne community.
“It takes a power of commitment to launch a unit like this, and I thank the Orion’s Commanding Officer, Pierre Vennik, and the Orion Unit Support Committee for their efforts,” Dr Kelly said.
“We know that cadet programs provide wonderful training and life skills for our young people, regardless of the path they eventually choose to take. These programs are especially beneficial for those in rural and regional Australia.
“This unit is a fantastic boon for the whole Jindabyne community.”
Dr Kelly said it was a pleasure to meet the cadets and their families who had worked so hard to make the NTS a reality.
Senator Feeney said the Standing-Up of the NTS was proof the Australian Navy Cadets and Australian Defence Force Cadets (ADFC) were strong and growing youth development organisations.
“Our cadet units are at the cutting edge of youth development and exciting community engagement for young people across the country,” Senator Feeney said.
Work commenced in 2007 to gauge community support for the establishment of an ANC Training Ship in the Jindabyne region.
The Jindabyne community, Snowy River Shire Council, local businesses and Defence helped to support the establishment of the unit.
The ANC unit staff gained the necessary qualifications and recruited the base number of cadets required to enable the unit to be awarded New Training Ship (NTS) status in June, 2012.
Rear Admiral Michael Uzzell, RAN attended the Standing-Up on behalf of the Chief of Navy.
Young people interested in joining Cadets can find a Cadet unit online: http://www.cadetnet.net/
Media contacts:
Minister Kelly’s Office: Robbie Rynehart 0459 810 654 or Derek Schwarz 0447 694 201
Senator Feeney’s Office: Jeffrey Von Drehnen 0477 348 47
