On the eve of their departure for Borneo, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Mr Peter Lindsay MP, encouraged the Returned and Services League Cadets of the Year to reflect on the significant sacrifice made by their fellow Australians during World War II. Tomorrow the cadets will leave Perth for a 15 day visit of Kota Kinabalu, Labuan Island, Sandakan, Ranau and Beaufort sponsored by the RSL and Department of Defence.

“Only six Australians from 2500 prisoners of war survived the Borneo ‘death marches’, mistreatment, starvation and illness,” said Mr Lindsay. This year’s military tour of Borneo provides the opportunity for cadets to trace the steps of these courageous Australians and those that sacrificed their lives. Their involvement in this tour underscores the important role young Australians have in preserving and honouring our nation’s military history. It also gives cadets, particularly those interested in a career in the Australian Defence Force, the chance to gain an insight into the values and ethos of Australia’s past and present serving men and women. I congratulate the RSL on this scheme, which has the whole-hearted support of the Government,” said Mr Lindsay.

Under the scheme, each RSL State and Territory branch nominates one to three high achieving cadets to take part in an international tour that exposes them to places of Australian military significance and inheritance. Fifteen cadets aged between 16 and 19 are this year’s recipients of the RSL Cadet of the Year award. The cadets are from Brisbane, Tamworth, Cootamundra, Nowra, Melbourne, Castlemaine, Perth, Fremantle, Kadina, Hobart and Darwin. The Australian Defence Force Cadets is a youth development organisation where 12 and a half to 20 year olds take part in adventurous, military-like activities, while learning about leadership, team building and themselves.