Cadets offer leadership skills

Leadership, team-building and life skills are just some of what Newman youth will learn as a new army cadets unit is formed in the regional town.

After much public interest and community discussion, the army cadet unit was formed with the help of the Pilbara regiment and members of the community

The unit, named 516ACU, will be based in Newman, open to youth aged 13-17, and will be fronted by former army commander Clint Swadling.

Mr Swadling said he put his hand up to offer experience after previously being an officer commanding in two units in Queensland. “At this stage it’s in the early days but we will begin to parade on the first Monday of September at the Pilbara Barracks,” he said.

“There will be a vast range of youth development activities, with the primary focus being premier youth development in Australia.”

The parading, otherwise known as training, will consist of various field activities, inter-unit challenges, annual camps and a range of practices.

To join the unit, families can visit the Australian Army Cadet website, armycadets.gov.au or join in on the first night on September 4 at the Newman A troop Army Barracks on Laver Street, beginning at 7pm.