Last Friday 31 August, spectators drawn from across the Newington Community gathered to witness the Newington College Cadet Unit Final Parade for 2012. The parade was an official farewell to the Senior Cadets who have ably led the Unit over the past 12 months, as well as the culmination of boys’ efforts as they make final preparations for Annual Camp later this year.

Captain (AAC) Rodney Wood opened the Parade with a minute of silence for the Australian soldiers recently fallen in Afghanistan, a humbling moment amidst the excitement of boys standing on the precipice of manhood. It was a reminder for all our cadets that with leadership comes responsibility, commitment and a common duty to our society.

The welcome address was then followed with the Headmaster’s address from Dr David Mulford, who spoke of the fantastic opportunities and leadership initiatives that the NCCU afforded to Newington College students.

It is a statistic recited regularly—yet with good reason—that the NCCU is the oldest Cadet Unit in the country, and having formed in 1869 is older than the Australian Army itself. Newington College has a long and incredibly proud tradition of Cadets, built upon founding principles of leadership, accomplishment, and pushing oneself to the absolute limit. The discipline and hard work displayed on the parade ground will reveal itself at Annual Camp, where cadets are given the opportunity to test themselves both individually and as part of a unit.

Following Dr Mulford, SUO James Grogin (12/LE) then approached the podium with the response on behalf of Cadet Leaders, before instructing all retiring CUOs and Warrant Officers to fall out. With a handshake and a salute, the senior cadets returned their swords to Captain Wood, signifying their resignation of post. After a slow march by the Cadet Leaders off the parade ground, Sergeant Matthew Serhon (11/FL) dismissed the cadets for the last time until they next meet for Annual Camp at the Colo River. Here, the younger cadets will learn whether they have the mettle to occupy the posts held by the leaders before them, and whether they are ready to take up the rigorous commitments that come with being a leader in the NCCU.