Squadron Captain Cecily Stewart from the Bundaberg Squadron of the Australian Air League recently spoke to the Fraser Coast Chronicle to clear up confusion about the Squadron and cofirm they are very much in operation. Recent they had received inquiries from members of the public asking if they had shut down, but it was a case of mistaken identity. Another cadet based organisation had recently closed, but the Australian Air League Bundaberg Squadron is still operational and going strong in the region.

“We have a strong team of volunteers that work hard to provide aviation instruction, education, team building and fun to the aviation minded youth of Bundaberg between the ages of eight and 18 years old,” she said.

“We meet Friday nights at Lot 2 Kendalls Rd (near table tennis) 6.30-9pm in school terms and offer three nights free to experience what we have to offer.”

For more information call 1800 502175 or email info@airleague.com.au

Queensland Group’s annual Advanced Officer Training conference attracted Squadron officers, trainee officers and Group Staff from across Queensland to Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast last weekend (7-9 March) to participate in a rigorous and varied program. Held in a new location, more accessible for all participants, the conference was again supported by the Gambling and Community Benefit Fund.

Organised and facilitated by QLD Group Training Officer, Wing Capt Tracey Rosen, the core theme of this year’s conference was “Tools for Success” and included presentations on Field, Admin, Education, Training and Development – with a new hands on “Drop Zone” element. As is common for this event, a stage 3 training program ran parallel to the Advanced Officer Course.

The squadron peer presentation component introduced last year, whereby Squadron Officers in teams presented on topics related to squadron operations, was repeated again this year with new targeted topics such as “Strength in Diversity – Teambuilding”, “Connecting with the Community”, “Engaging & Exciting Parade Night Programming” and “Promoting Fellowship in a National Organisation”.

AOT 2014 included a workshop on another new QLD Group initiative, “Drop Zone”, providing an outline of the design, lesson plans, tools, material, goals and delivery format for this low cost, modulised, hands-on, multi-purpose program for cadet engagement. AOT participants tested a Drop Zone activity designed on-course by them, with the Stage 3 trainees performing admirably as the activity participants.

AOT 2014 finished with the very special treat of an exciting extended tour of the Queensland Air Museum (www.qam.com.au ), personally escorted by Cameron Elmes – the Museum President, and included an opportunity to get up close to the F111 on display within the museum. Prompting on-the-spot discussion of exploring some highly privileged opportunities to engage our Air League Cadets – The visit to this wonderful facility, also operated by volunteers, brilliantly topped off a highly productive weekend for AOT 2014 attendees.

March 2014 saw the Australian Defence Forces put on a spectacular display of military aviation to celebrate 100 years at the RAAF Centenary of Military Aviation Air Show held at RAAF Point Cook, the birthplace of the Australian Flying Corps and the Royal Australian Air Force.

Showcasing Australian military aviation since its birth in 1914 to the present, the Point Cook air show presented a huge range of RAAF and other armed services aircraft and equipment both on the ground and in the air. With an assortment of aircraft ranging from our earliest, the Bristol BoxKite to the latest, the Lockheed Martin F35 Lightning II (ironically, both of which were replicas!) the show presented a wonderful variety of aircraft that have served with our armed forces.

The show also provided the public with some wonderful opportunities to get close to many rare aircraft such as the Lockheed Hudson and Consolidated Catalina as they taxied closely past the crowds.

The air show was not only a great recruiting opportunity for the Royal Australian Air Force, as a great deal of interest was also shown in the Australian Air League by a number of those attending.

From amid the myriad of promotional stands in the main marquee, the League hosted a small display where cadets and officers from a number of squadrons tested the paper plane flying skills of visiting parents and children, assisted budding modellers with balsa glider making whilst also answering lots of questions about the League and its activities.

And the interest was not restricted to just our promotional display as several families and a couple of TV news crews commented or enquired about our cadets as they checked out the static aircraft displays.

Certainly, the 2014 RAAF Centenary of Military Aviation Air Show has been a great success for both our hosts, the Royal Australian Air Force but hopefully too, the Australian Air League.

During the weekend of 15th/16th February 2014, the Chair of the Council of the Australian Air League, the League’s Secretary, Federal Staff and the Executive Commissioners had the pleasure, and honour, to spend a Saturday and Sunday with the ‘cream’ of the Australian Air League’s youth membership.
The candidates were:

• Sgt Darren Wood – Sutherland Shire Squadron (NSW Boys Group)
• Cpl Thomas Bladier – Berwick Boys Squadron (Victoria Group)
• Sqn.Sgt. Thomas Houghton – Bundaberg Squadron (Queensland Group)
• Cpl David Biar – Parafield Squadron (South Australia Wing)
• Sgt Maia Hulin – Doyalson Squadron (NSW Girls Group)
• Cpl Rebecca Newbery – Sunbury Squadron (Victoria Group)

The selection of the Cadet of the Year took place at the NSW Boys’ Group Air Activities base at Camden in conjunction with the meeting of the Council of the Australian Air League being conducted on the Saturday and the League’s Annual General meeting on the Sunday.

Interstate members of the Council of the League, together with the candidates from Queensland, Victoria and South Australia travelled to Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport, were met on arrival and transported from Camden to meet up with the NSW based members of the Council and the two candidates from the NSW Girls’ and Boys’ Groups.

Unlike the weather in Melbourne the previous year where is was extremely hot, Camden experienced low cloud and rain which prevented flying on the Saturday however the candidates experienced a visit to the control tower and prepared for the presentations to be conducted on the Saturday evening. During the afternoon 2nd Officer Anthony Barrett of Epping Squadron, a previous Cadet of the Year winner and 2011/2012 Chair of the Cadet of the Year Advisory Council (COYAG) ,met with the candidates to discuss the Council, its operation and the involvement the 2013/2014 candidates would have in its operation in the next 12 months.

Accommodation was at the Narellan Motor Inn and dinner was provided at Bluey’s Brasserie at the Camden Sports Club where the presentations would take place after enjoying dinner.

As part of the Cadet of the Year evaluation process all candidates are required to make a 15 minute presentation to enhance their opportunity to be selected as the League’s Cadet of the Year. This year the topic of their presentation was “How to Engage and Retain older Cadets”. All of the Senior Officers marked these presentations taking into account delivery, confidence and relevance which resulted in a score representing 30% of the total assessment.

The Sunday saw marginally better weather and a return to Camden Airport where the interviews were to take place with a panel of Federal Commissioners. The interviews form 50% of the total assessment and include answering set questions as well as general discussion.

Whilst the interviews were being conducted all candidates’ experienced a 45 minute flight around the local area, in an AAL Air Activities owned Piper Warrior aircraft, when on completion the ‘sky opened up’ and rain ensued for the balance of the day.

Any of the nominated candidates would be able to represent our Organisation with pride and should be very proud of their performance. Again this year, the standard was higher than in the past and the range of results much closer. All were winners!

After lunch the results were announced in front of the League’s senior Officers and the Cadet of the Year badges were presented to the winning candidates.
The winners were:

• Sergeant Maia Hulin, New South Wales Girls’ Group and
• Sergeant Darren Wood, New South Wales Boys’ Group

On behalf of the Australian Air League Inc., may I extend hearty congratulations to the winners and commiserations to their colleagues who were not successful. To miss out on selection in such company is no disgrace as those selected were truly outstanding in all aspects and their Parents, Officers and colleagues can be very proud of them.

The League’s thanks go to the NSW Boys’ Group for making the venue available, the NSW Boys’ Group Air Activities staff that assisted throughout the weekend and to the Debbie and Mark Perinich who provided the assembled group with a fabulous lunch on both the Saturday and Sunday. Thank you also to the NSW based Federal staff that provided the transport.

All who attended the weekend should be proud of their individual contribution in making the weekend the success it was and an experience for our candidates that they will not forget quickly.

As the worthy candidates return to their Groups, the League looks forward to their participation in the COYAG processes.

Chief Comr. Ian Rickards, LM., DSA., MSA

Media release can be downloaded here and photos are available online here.

Tonight at 08:36UTC cadets of the Australian Air League – South Australia Wing will speak live with astronauts onboard the International Space Station. Details of the hookup can be found on the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station website here.

Streaming audio is avaiable online here https://sites.google.com/site/arissaudio/.