122 Army Cadet Unit Mackay Region in Mackay, Queensland | Community organisation

122 Army Cadet Unit Mackay Region

Locality: Mackay, Queensland

Phone: +61 407 679 432

Address: 122 Army Cadet Unit, Ben Het Lines, Komiatum Barracks, 400 Shakespeare Street 4740 Mackay, QLD, Australia

Website:

Likes: 339

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Community organisation

24.01.2022 FLASHBACK to Mackay Heritage Week - Thursday 30 April 1992 An exciting experience for members of the Unit was their participation in a presentation of the 1812 Overture, held at the Caneland Park Sound Shell (which no longer exists). To the sounds of a full orchestra playing the lengthy Overture, elements of the 42nd Battalion RQR, 3/4 Cavalry and Field Artillery synchronized a Section of riflemen, 4 Howitzers, and dozens of rockets and flares to fire at key points in the per...formance, much to the delight of half of Mackays population that turned out to hear and watch - heart pumping stuff. The Cadet Unit provided its full Band and a Guard of Honour for the event, including our Unit Piper standing on one of the Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) playing a lone Lament in the closing ceremony. Every member of the Unit had a rifle, then part of normal routine and training. A big bonus for the Band members was an offer from the Cavalry to take them and their Instruments back to the Q Store, in the APCs, via the City Heart. Surely after 28 years its time for Mackay to organise another fully choreographed performance of the 1812 ? (Never heard it? Dont know the story? Google the story of it before you watch a performance on Youtube "1812 Overture with Cannons" - most of the artillery happens towards the end)

24.01.2022 The Units museum has a collection of hats and helmets, some pictured here. The majority have been donated and some are on loan. Some have a specific history, belonging to known veterans, and some are samples from years past, spanning over 100 years.

24.01.2022 VOLUNTEERS: To all of our Volunteers, including our Support Group - Thank-you.

22.01.2022 SUPPORT: Apart from its key role in supporting Veterans, the RSL is a civic-minded organisation that identifies Australias Youth as a crucial part of our society. In Queensland, the RSLs Youth Charter (attached in comments) is the catalyst for an annual offer of funding assistance for specific items or projects that Cadet Units would like, to improve the welfare or training value to our members. Locally the Sub-branches are always supportive of our applications and those from other ANC, AAC & AAFC Units. We thank the districts RSL members for their continued support of the ADF Cadets as we try to improve what we can offer to our young members and volunteer staff.

20.01.2022 The Units museum has items from each country that our Cadets have visited when on International Cadet Exchange. In 2010, the exchange to South Korea was far from a relaxing holiday, with Cadets participating in Exercises with Korean Cadet Marines which included boat drills and a lot of very physical activities. Seeing the country and experiencing the culture was also part of the agenda, something long remembered by those who took part. ... A reminder of the Korean War, part of the DMZ fence, was brought back to the Unit. The demilitarized zone (DMZ) is a border barrier that divides the Korean Peninsula roughly in half. It was created by agreement between North Korea, China and the United Nations Command in 1953. The DMZ is 250 kilometres long, and about 4 kilometres wide.

20.01.2022 HISTORY: Todays edition of the Daily Mercury newspaper is the last hard copy edition to be printed and will now become an entirely online publication. A sad day for the region and for the Unit, as the newspaper has been a valuable tool in capturing our Units history, from attendance at local events to Unit achievements. Weve published a variety of articles from one of our archive folders. It is surprising what was published, eg when we changed from Jungle Green to Camoufla...ge uniforms, plus photographs we could never hope to otherwise capture. A great source of history. See a 2nd post for some earlier articles.

19.01.2022 PARADES: Its that time of the year when our Cadets would normally be getting their best uniform ready for the Recruit Graduation Parade and BBQ. Unfortunately the COVID restrictions and suspended activities will now see that held later in the year when the Recruits finish their Course. Graduation and Ceremonial Parades are normally one of the highlights of the year, where parents, family and friends get to see the standard attained and demonstrated on the parade ground. The... photos are a flashback to some notable Ceremonial Parades in earlier days. 1984 was a year that the Mackay City Band, difficult to see at the rear of the Parade, provided some of best parade music the Unit ever had. Note that the Colour Party was often Tri-Service. The buildings in the photo no longer exist. 1986 was the first year that the St Patricks (Combined Catholic Colleges) Unit had female Cadets, the Mackay State High School Unit having already had female cadets for some time. The Unit numbers jumped to fill 5 Platoons. 1988 was the first year we paraded at Komiatum Barracks as 122RCU. The Unit was still in 2 Companies with different uniforms, and we had been based at the barracks for less than a month. At that stage "based" described being able to use the parade ground and access the toilets. A lot of admin and the Q Stores were still at the schools.

19.01.2022 Not exactly museum pieces but displayed in one of the same cabinets is the Mess Silver and its Guardian. Entwined through the candelabra is an incredibly long snake skin that was found on site several years ago and has taken up lodgings as the Keeper of the Silver. The Mess Silverware is a collection of items that is used each year for our Formal Dinner. Most items have been donated but some were found in 2nd hand shops or garage sales for only a few dollars and the comment "we are sick of having to polish it".

18.01.2022 In 2015 our Unit joined with a contingent from the Ruahine Cadet Unit (NZ) to conduct the Centenary of ANZAC Expedition. Flying into Melbourne, the Expedition visited Puckapunyal, Seymour, Holbrook, then based at HMAS Harman to tour ADFA, RMC, Parliament House, and many other locations in and around Canberra. A highlight was an audience with His Excellency Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove at Government House.... Mementos in our museum of the great time spent with our NZ friends.

17.01.2022 In an effort to reduce access to and contact in our facility (COVID19), this is the last of our museum series until things get back to normal. The museum is important to our new cadets as, separate to the general military interest items, they can see that they are carrying on a local tradition that has spanned 75 years. It could be reading the names on the CSMs Baton from 50 years ago, finding mums or dads name on the Best Recruit Shield, or asking "what is a Puttee for?"... when the tag says we used to wear them. Thank-you to the many who have donated to our museum. Its through donations that our collection continues to grow. We dont have enough display cases or the floor space to display everything at once, but we endeavor to cycle things through the displays.

17.01.2022 75 YEARS: Seventy-five years ago today, on 15 August 1945, Prime Minister Ben Chifley addressed the nation: Fellow citizens, the war is over. The Japanese government has accepted the terms of surrender imposed by the allied nations. The Second World War was over.... Spanning six years, the war was the most destructive conflict in human history.The defeat of Germany, Italy and Japan claimed 60 million lives. A life was extinguished every three seconds.The world would never be the same again. In Australia, 15 August 1945 was gazetted as VP Day: Victory in the Pacific Day. Hundreds of thousands of jubilant Australians spilled into the streets of the nations cities, swept up in celebratory pandemonium. No one that day needed reminding of the value of freedom - or the price that had been paid for it. Earlier in March of that same year, a Cadet Unit in Mackay had been formed. So from war-time origins, our modern day Unit celebrates 75 years, somewhat subdued in the midst of COVID.

16.01.2022 DOCUMENTARY: Dont forget tonight, SBS at 8.30pm, a 1 hour documentary on Mackay local Keith Payne VC. Keith and his wife Florence are strong supporters of our Cadet Unit. Hosted by Ray Martin, this programme was recorded in Mackay and elsewhere, telling this mans story. The Daily Mercury printed a background story in todays edition.

16.01.2022 PLEASE HELP TRACK DOWN 12,000 WW2 VETERANS The Minister for Veterans Affairs the Honourable Darren Chester MP has launched a special commemorative medallion to... honour the 12,000 living WW2 Veterans. Please share this post so that family members are aware and can apply on their behalf. An opportunity for you to honour their service. https://hubs.ly/H0t8fjj0 #OneInAMillion #75Days75Stories #WW2 #WWII #Veteran #75th #VPDay #VJDay #WorldWar #Victory #worldwar #ww #history #worldwartwo #military #secondworldwar #worldwarii #warhistory

15.01.2022 ANZAC Day 2020 was different but no doubt etched in our memory - allowing everyone to commemorate in a way that was special to them. Cadet Recruits through to Cadet Under Officers, Staff, Helpers and Unit Supporters turned out throughout the region in an effort to remember in their own way, observing the protocol of a brief service. . .Lest We Forget.

15.01.2022 REMEMBER: Today, on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, we commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day. We say thank you to almost 60,000 Australians who served during the 10 years of our involvement in the Vietnam War, and we remember their sacrifices. Locally, the community will gather while adhering to COVID restrictions to remember mates and loved ones, veterans and families, at the Jubilee Park Long Tan Cross for a Service commencing at 5.30pm.... For the Cadet Unit, who would normally provide a Cataflaque Guard, it is a day to also remember a past Unit Officer Commanding, LTCOL (AAC) Bob Sim OAM, who served in Vietnam, and whose name is on the memorial wall behind the Cross. Lest We Forget

15.01.2022 SAFETY: the current situation with COVID-19 has heightened our focus on staying safe with increased health and hygiene measures. The Annual Field Exercise for 2020 is currently being planned with this strongly in mind. The annual gathering of the Brigade has been decentralised to smaller clusters in local areas and this will enable greater flexibility for Units to get their new Recruits up to standard, each Unit being at various stages of their recruit training. Our Unit wi...ll come together with cadets from 131ACU Sarina and 145ACU Moranbah for 4 days of Recruit and Advanced training, supported by the organising structure of our Battalion HQ and Army. Cadets and Staff are looking forward to receiving approval to recommence parading soon which will enable Units to prepare their cadets for the big event. STAY SAFE - BE COVID AWARE

14.01.2022 Some of our museum items are not terribly interesting to look at, until you turn them over. With the end of WW2, each country tried to rebuild their economy but there was a reluctance to buy Japanese goods, even though Australia had occupation forces in Japan from 1945 to 1952. To try and convince consumers that post-war Japanese products were okay to buy, a lot of items were marked "Made in Occupied Japan" as appears on these two plates. ... How many items in Grandmas kitchen cupboard can be found with similar markings? (thats exactly where these were found).

14.01.2022 Wednesday 11 November, 11am. Remember REMEMBRANCE DAY.

13.01.2022 FLASHBACK: Our two previous posts with newspaper articles have generated quite a response. Thank-you to those who have sent in copies for our records. We have very few pre 1980 articles, so all are appreciated. Here are a few more from the collection.

12.01.2022 DISPLAY: Keith Payne VC AM KStJ, together with Florence Payne OAM DStJ and Mayor of Mackay Regional Council CR Greg Williamson, officially unveiled the Keith Payne VC Slouch Hat display today at the Jubilee Community Center. Keith kept that slouch hat in good condition for ceremonial occasions and was worn in Saigon, in Brisbane when HM the Queen presented his Victoria Cross, and at various other Vice Regal events. The slouch hat was recently auctioned off for Rotary to ra...ise funds for needy local causes. The hat went for $30,000 to an anonymous local syndicate who wanted the hat to be retained locally. The Cadet Unit has contributed some items from our museum to the display, including Keiths JG Uniform, hootchie and water bottles. The display will be open for several months during business hours. Pictured next to the display is Keith Payne VC, after the unveiling.

12.01.2022 COVIDSAFE: During this period of restricted activities, although Cadets cannot come together for parades and activities, we are continuing with revision and new learning via the internet, using Emails and Apps. Since March, we have covered a variety of subjects including Navigation, First Aid, Leadership, Pioneering, History, Customs and Traditions, Communications and more to come, all within what is possible at a distance. As we prepare for our eventual return to regular t...raining, we encourage all to download the COVIDSAFE App as one small but important part of the Safety Plan. Stay Safe.

12.01.2022 Lets light up the dawn with our ANZAC spirit! At 6am on ANZAC Day, join us at the end of your driveway, on your balcony, or in your living room to remember all... those who have served and sacrificed for this nation. We may not be able to stand together as we usually would, but we can still stand united in spirit. Learn more at bit.ly/rslanzacspirit #lightupthedawn #ANZACspirit

11.01.2022 AFX FLASHBACK: having recently completed a COVID modified AFX in Mackay, it's a good time to recall years when the Annual Field Exercises were very different, conducted centrally by Army at Camp McAliney (Dotswood) located in the High Range Training Area. For many years, Units would come together at the Army Camp for a week supported and resourced by Army, yet operate and train in their existing Company structures. Apart from their own field training, Units would plan inte...r-company activities, always raising Morale and Esprit de Corps whether successful or not, e.g. attempting to quietly navigate Patrols past another Units Sentry Post or use fieldcraft to stalk into another Unit's area to score a flag or other trophy. The "souvenirs" were always returned the following day so another unit could have a go at it. Our Company established a base in Camp with tents and cots for accommodation, lesson/briefing tents and a kitchen to prepare meals. Hootchies were used when Patrols or Platoons moved into the field overnight, but everyone looked forward to sleeping back in their cot instead of on the ground. They were good Camps, the training enabling Units to operate as functional Companies, in their own Sections and Platoons with their own rank structure, as they had been training all year to do. Photos are from 20 - 27 SEP 2002.

10.01.2022 LEGACY: Today is the beginning of #LegacyWeek 2020. We would normally have Army Cadets in shopping centres selling badges and Legacy Bears at this time but COVID restrictions dont allow us to do so this year. Funds raised during Legacy Week help Legacy Australia continue to assist over 52,000 families Australia-wide, through the provision of essential services including counselling, special housing and medical, advocacy and social support. ... We have had Cadets in our Unit supported by Legacy, having lost a parent during or resulting from Defence Force service, so this is a Charity that supports families - local people - in Australia. We encourage you to get involved in Legacy Week by purchasing merchandise online at www.legacyshop.com.au, or making a donation at www.legacyweek.com.au.

05.01.2022 The Unit Museum was donated a collection of items from a veteran of the Kennedy Regiment (31RQR). Items include the Battalions Parade Card from 1973, a 1943 Army issue whistle, pistol lanyard, water sterilisation kit, insect repellent for clothing, two-colour issued personal camouflage kit, and a number of other interesting items.

05.01.2022 CADETS are not Veterans but the message is the same...

05.01.2022 DOCUMENTARY: An SBS documentary about a North Queensland veteran, Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne VC AM. Many of our members past and present have had the privalige of meeting this gentleman and his wife Florence, also an Army veteran. Wednesday 27 May from 8.30pm on SBS. An hour of education about this mans achievements and struggles.

05.01.2022 VOLUNTEERS: Cadet Units are part of a Community and being a successful Unit requires the support of its community. Mackays Army Cadet Unit is privaliged and thankful for the great support it gets from the community, especially from its all volunteer Support Group, without which so much of what we have and do would not have been possible over the years. National Volunteer Week is a great time for the Unit Members to say a very big "Thank You" for the time, help and energy put in to assist the Cadet Unit.

04.01.2022 VISITORS: tonight the Unit was pleased to receive visitors from National HQ and Brigade HQ. National Cadet Adjutant, CUO Olivia Swindells and Brigade Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major, CDTWO1 Dean Cowan attended the Unit's parade night, discussing the recent Annual Field Exercise and the adjustments made to training and Unit routine in the present COVID environment. Cadets also used the opportunity to seek advice on applying for Battalion, Brigade and National Cadet positions, with both visitors originally starting their Cadet careers in the local Mackay and Sarina Units. Postings are normally for periods of 12 months.

04.01.2022 RECIPE: WIth ANZAC Day comes the time of year that ANZAC Biscuits are popular. While most households add their own special secret ingredient, the attached recipe comes from the records of the Australian War Memorial, published in 1926. For those at home looking for something different to do, give it a go and let us know.

04.01.2022 We are very fortunate to receive support and encouragement from Keith Payne VC AM and Florence Payne OAM, who attend our Unit activities when their busy schedule permits. We are also fortunate to have received some of Keiths uniforms and equipment which is on display in the Unit Museum. Keith Payne VC officially opened our first building on site at the Barracks 01 November 1998, from which time our Lines have been known as the "Ben Het" Cadet Lines.... The locality of Ben Het (Vietnam) is where the following action took place: In May 1969, WO2 Keith Payne was commanding the 212th Company of the 1st Mobile Strike Force Battalion when it was attacked by a strong North Vietnamese force. His company was isolated and, surrounded on three sides, Paynes Vietnamese troops began to fall back. Payne, by now wounded in the hands and arms and under heavy fire, covered the withdrawal before organising his troops into a defensive perimeter. He then spent three hours scouring the scene of the days fight for isolated and wounded soldiers, all the while evading enemy troops, who kept up harassing fire. He found some 40 wounded men, brought some in himself and organised for the rescue of the others, leading the party back to base through enemy-dominated terrain. Years later, asked whether he was afraid, Payne replied, "My God yes, yes, I was. Paynes actions that night earned him the Victoria Cross. Keith Payne received his VC from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II aboard the Royal Yacht, Britannia in Brisbane on 13 April 1970. (Narrative from the Australian War Memorial Records)

03.01.2022 FLASHBACK to 1991 29 years ago, cadets were transitioning from Jungle Green to DP Uniforms, Annual Camp was conducted in Units scattered around the High Range Training Area near Townsville, and 122 was a Unit from up north that was a little out of place at the South Queensland Cadet Competitions held at Wacol Army Camp near Brisbane. 1991 was the 3rd full year of receiving Army support, becoming a Regional Cadet Unit at the end of 1988 with full support status (FSU).

02.01.2022 HISTORY: Interesting photos of times gone but not forgotten. A selection from some old books recently donated to the Unit collection. All WW2 pics, though one book included the WW1 Car Patrol for vehicle comparison.

02.01.2022 FLASHBACK: With Saturday 27 June 2020 being the last print edition of the Daily Mercury, here are some more articles from the 80s and 90s that, thanks to printed newspapers, we have recorded in archives.

01.01.2022 ANZAC Day 2020 will be different for all of us - no parades, public gatherings, or community memorial services. However it will be a day that allows each of us to participate in the "Driveway Dawn Service" (see RSL QLD page) and perhaps enable a quieter contemplation of what ANZAC Day is all about. As we look back at some of our Anzac photos from the last 20 years and see the noticeable changes of uniform and faces, we look forward to the many thousands of Cadets taking part... in uniform this Anzac Day on their driveways, balcony, front yard or somewhere else at their homes. We hope to add some of their photos of the day they paused to remember .... ... Lest we Forget.

01.01.2022 AGM: the Cadet Unit Support Group it to hold it's Annual General Meeting on Monday 09 November 2020, commencing at 7.30pm, at the Unit's training facility at 400 Shakespeare Street Mackay. Supporters, Parents & Carers of Cadets are Welcome. PLEASE NOTE that COVID restrictions and precautions are in place and persons attending are required to abide by the Unit's Safe Plan. The meeting will be held in a separate area to the Cadets. Do not attend if you are feeling unwell.... NOTE ALSO that persons attending are required to have photo ID on their person upon entry.

01.01.2022 Happy Queensland Day.