
Emergency cadets take top gong
CHILDERS emergency service cadets have been crowned cadet group of the year.
Childers cadet co-ordinator Rhy Baker said she could not be more proud of what the young members had achieved, particularly since the group had formed only a year ago.
"Out of nine cadet groups across the state, Childers cadets was awarded the Cadet Group of the Year award," she said.
"We've only been going since September last year, so it's been exactly 12 months that we've been running."
Ms Baker said the group had already clocked up 600 volunteer hours.
"Which is quite an achievement," she said.
"We volunteer for any local festivals like the Childers Festival, Woodgate Fair, Clean Up Australia Day or the show.
"Anything that's going on like that, we're usually a part of."
Ms Baker said the group had helped out at the Apple Tree Creek Rodeo on the weekend.
"When there's something on, they certainly put their hand up and get involved. I'm very proud of them," she said.
Ms Baker said the cadets had completed a lot of their training with emergency service personnel in the region.
"That includes the SES, the firies, the ambulance, the police and everyone in between," she said.
"They provide the essential skills and training to train the cadets in preparation for life skills and disasters."
Ms Baker said through their training in Childers, the 33 cadets could go on to be emergency service personnel and were currently studying towards the Certificate Two in Public Safety.
The Childers cadet group was set up by Jenny Schoof of the PCYC group in Brisbane. Ms Baker said there was a cadet group previously set up in Childers but it folded a few years ago. "The new cadet group is sponsored by PCYC and we haven't looked back," Ms Baker said.
The cadet awards were held this month at the Gabba in Brisbane, with three awards up for grabs, including Cadet of the Year, Leader of the Year and Cadet Group of the Year.