Celebrating 60 Years of Cadets at Peninsula Grammar

Six Decades of Service and Leadership.

This year, Peninsula Grammar proudly marks the 60th anniversary of its Australian Army Cadet Unit, a program that has been instrumental in shaping the character, discipline, and leadership of thousands of students since 1965. For six decades, the Cadet Unit has stood as a powerful symbol of our school’s values, fostering courage, initiative, teamwork, and respect in generations of young people.

The Unit’s journey began in June 1965, when a request was made to Army HQ to raise a Cadet Unit at the school. By December, approval was granted, and in 1966, the first cohort of 50 cadets began their training in fieldcraft, weapons handling, and map reading. From these humble beginnings, the Unit quickly grew, and by 1968 it comprised over 100 cadets, complete with a band and specialist pioneer and signals sections.

Throughout its rich history, the Unit has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. When government support was withdrawn in 1975, Peninsula Grammar’s commitment to the program remained steadfast, leading to its successful reformation in 1977. By 1979, the Unit had returned to a strength of over 300 cadets and continued to build a reputation for excellence, being named the “Most Effective Unit” in 1983. The introduction of the demanding Adventurer Training Award in 1986 and the successful transition to a coeducational model in 1997 further highlighted the Unit’s progressive and inclusive approach.

Over the decades, thousands of cadets have forged lifelong friendships and memories through challenging bivouacs, annual camps, ceremonial parades, and the traditional Annual Dine-In. They have participated in helicopter rides, constructed bridges, supported community events like the Mornington ANZAC Day March, and engaged in STEM-based activities, always rising to the challenges presented to them. Even during the recent pandemic, the Unit adapted with creativity and resolve, hosting online activities and outdoor events to keep the spirit of camaraderie alive.

As we celebrate this significant milestone, we honour the dedication of the staff, parents, and alumni who have supported the Unit and its members. Their combined efforts have ensured that the Peninsula Grammar Cadet Unit continues to thrive as a living legacy of mateship, service, and leadership.

Today, as the Unit marches into its seventh decade, it remains a cornerstone of the Peninsula Grammar experience, upholding our school’s motto: “Hold fast that which is good.”

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