Our Cadet Unit

History of T.S. Armidale

The establishment TS ARMIDALE grew out of the planning in 1992 for the 50th anniversary of the loss of the 'Bathurst' class corvette, HMAS ARMIDALE, in December 1942. It was suggested that a Naval Reserve Cadet Unit would be a fitting tribute and living memorial to the gallantry of the original ship's company.

Accordingly, in early 1993 a group of ex-naval men headed by former WOSTD Max Tavener, set up NU SHIP ARMIDALE in Armidale's Legacy Hall with 20 teenagers with their sole equipment being a box of rope.
Things grew rapidly with a combination of luck and hard work. Around Easter 1993 the State Rail Authority were looking for a new use for their disused railwaymen's barracks and offered it to the fledgling unit for a peppercorn rent. About the same time, the Band of HMAS NIRIMBA visited Armidale for the annual Autumn Festival and, with a patrol boat float loaned from HMAS WATSON, NU SHIP ARMIDALE had a leading place in the parade (attended by over 10, 000 people). This combination of a super unit HQ and good publicity was a major step towards getting NU SHIP ARMIDALE officially recognised.

So rapidly did things progress that on 3 July 1993, less than six months after the unit had started up, TS ARMIDALE was commissioned as the 67th 'ship' in the NRC 'fleet'.

Being over two hours from the sea and the nearest sailing being a major dam 35kms north of the city, sailing has a vital but limited place in TS ARMIDALE's training routine. This is compounded by the fact that, with the city at over 1,000m above sea level, winters in Armidale have a certain notoriety.

So, from the beginning, TS ARMIDALE looked for other avenues to meet its training mission. As Armidale is a city of education, close relationships were built with local schools, especially The Armidale School which has its own local Army Cadet Unit, TAS Regiment. Bush activities took a special role and, at LEUT TAVENER's initiative, TS ARMIDALE with the support of the TAS Regiment, established a tri-service Military Skills Competition comprising Navy, Army and Air Force Cadets from all over northern NSW. The competition proved to be an outstanding success and is a regular feature for cadet units in the region with over 120 cadets and 20 staff participating in 1998.

Other activities include the Armidale Autumn Festival Parade each March, ANZAC Day in April, joint weekends with local Army Cadet Units, sailing weekends at the coast and at the local dam, a joint TAS Regiment and TS Armidale week-long camp in November and attendances at functions and events throughout the region where some representation of the Senior Service is wanted.

The remembrance why TS ARMIDALE was established is a vital part of the unit's ethos. Every year, a commemorative weekend is held in Armidale at which the cadets and survivors of the ARMIDALE have a central part. The mingling of the new bearers of the ARMIDALE mantle with those who originally served, fought and suffered, gives the weekend a special poignancy and brings home to the cadets the honour and privilege of the name which their unit bears. It is the aim of the entire unit - staff and cadets - to never let that legacy be forgotten.

LEST WE FORGET

AMW ST.JOHN-BROWN RD
LEUT RANR
Executive Officer
for Commanding Officer
20/2/1999

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