Holy Cross College Ryde eNewsletter

HCC CADETS - Passing Out Parade

On Tuesday, 24 June the Cadet Unit held its annual ceremonial Passing Out Parade. Under the direction of Parade Commander Senior Under Officer CUO Roberto Monardo and Regimental Sergeant Major WO1 Finton Cottrell this parade marked the end of the 2024-25 training year and served as an opportunity to formally send off our graduating Year 12 Cadets. Colonel Warwick Young OAM was the Reviewing Officer of the parade as the cadets displayed great discipline and resilience to put on an outstanding ceremonial display in front of their parents and members of the College Old Boys Association. We were also honoured by the presence of special guests including Br Peter Ryan, Br Aengus Kavanagh and Br Stephen Sweetman as well as the Mayor of Ryde Councillor Trenton Brown.

Special mention and congratulations goes to the following cadets who were recipients of the perpetual cadet trophies, some of which date back as far as 1951:

CUO OF THE CADET UNIT - SUO Roberto Monardo - for outstanding leadership of the Holy Cross College Army Cadet Unit.

PLATOON SHIELD - 5 PLT CUO Luke Connor and 6 PLT CUO Alexander Trunzo - awarded to the most consistent and well drilled platoon throughout the training year

ALOYSIUS SHIELD - SGT Sebastian Hunt - awarded to the most exemplary Senior Non Commissioned Officer.

HOLY CROSS COLLEGE SENIOR CADET TROPHY - CPL Jett Fell - awarded to the most exemplary Junior Non Commissioned Officer.

CUO “JOSEPH GO” SHIELD - SGT Karl Muller - awarded to the most proficient cadet in their speciality.

JUNIOR MARKSMAN SHIELD - CDT Ethan Aspinall - with an average grouping of 107 mm at the Weapons Training Simulation System.

HEADMASTER’S TROPHY FOR SENIOR MARKSMAN OF THE UNIT - SUO Roberto Monardo - with an average grouping of 77 mm at the Holsworthy Range Live Shoot.

MAYOR OF RYDE TROPHY FOR THE BEST DRESSED CADET - CDT Sam Nancarrow - awarded to the best presented cadet in every aspect from parade to camp.

SPIRIT OF ANZAC AWARD - WO2 Cameron Kennedy - awarded to a cadet who has gone above and beyond in service of the College and Ryde Community during ANZAC Day Commemoration Services.

CAPTAIN PHILLIP HALTER MEMORIAL TROPHY - CDT Harrison Keeley and CDT Luke Mercer - awarded to the most outstanding Holy Cross College Cadet.

In the first week of the school holidays Cooper Latham, William Bexton, Alexander Jenkins and Max Hadfield were selected as four of only ten NSW based cadets to compete at the Chief of Army Cadet Team Challenge (CACTC) for five days at the Kokoda Barracks in Canungra, QLD.

The CACTC is the pinnacle of team based competitive activities within the Australian Army Cadets during which teams from each state face a number of activities assessing their ability to problem solve and complete tasks in a team environment.

Army Cadets from across Australia and even a team from New Zealand touched down in Queensland ready to face off in a series of intense challenges and obstacles. Representing every AAC region, along with teams from the Navy Cadets and Air Force Cadets, our cadets faced long days, tough tasks and plenty of mud but above all a test of teamwork, resilience and leadership when completing obstacle courses, navigation and first aid exercises.

On the first morning they completed a practice run of the Kokoda Barracks obstacle course led by Army Personal Training Instructors, testing their mental and physical agility and strengthening their leadership skills ahead of the upcoming challenge phase. Determination and discipline were on full display as they tackled each obstacle together to grow stronger and more resilient within their team.

After two intense days and very cold nights in the field, our cadets faced their final challenge in the form of a water-based obstacle course designed to test their agility and fitness. Cadets were tested in real-time leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving to push through ten demanding tasks out in the field, showing incredible determination and resilience along the way. Each cadet completed the challenge with distinction and returned home with new skills, fresh confidence and a strong sense of accomplishment.

These four cadets deserve special recognition on the achievement of completing this national challenge as well as James Tourle and Cameron Kennedy who volunteered their time to assist in running activities as headquarters helpers.

Mr Michael Boulus

CADET COORDINATOR