GOLD COAST

SQUADRON
TERM 4, 2016
NEWSLETTER

MERRY CHRISTMAS
SANTA IMPORTANT TO LODGE YOUR
FLIGHT PLANS.

OCs REPORT
The end of Term 4 and the conclusion of a busy year for the squadron.
Presentation evening for 2016 was again a huge success with a total of around 100 parents,
friends and invited guests attending the evening. This turnout is a good indication of the strong
support that exists for the program and activities being offered to cadets.
A huge thank you to our distinguished guests who attended our awards night and presented
the various awards;
-Mr. Sid Cramp, State Member for Gaven;
-Councillor Peter Young, Division 5 Gold Coast Council;
-Mr Michael Powell, Secretary Nerang RSL Sub-branch;
-Mr Phil Clowry, Commissionaire, Corps of Commissionaires;
-Mr Peter Long, General Manager Air Gold Coast;
-Lieutenant Commissioner, Adrianne Fleming OAM (GEXC AAL Vic); and
-Group Commissioner Todd Oakley, (Acting GEXC AAL Qld).

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Support from these community and organisation leaders significantly added to the significance
of the awards night and we are grateful for them taking time out of their busy schedules to
attend and participate in the presentations. (Details of award winners are shown separately in
the newsletter).
Very favourable comments on the conduct and appearance of our cadets were received from
the distinguished guests who attended the presentation evening. These glowing comments
make me very proud to be associated with such a fine group of young boys and girls.
Eleven members of the squadron attended the recent NCO training camp and embraced a
weekend of drill training, education and leadership principles. I look forward to being able to
consider some promotions from this group in 2017.
This term we welcome new members, Jordan McVeigh and Campbell Macmillan into the cadet
ranks. Although we continue to expand our numbers, the squadron officers still strive to
maintain a strong sense of family within the squadron. As is the case with most families, a
feeling of sadness occurs when members have to move on. At the end of this term we are
farewelling two of our cadets. Leading Cadet Kobie Boland leaves us to continue a link to
aviation via the Air Training Corps and Corporal Maddison Chambers who will commence her
university studies at a university (yet to be determined). We wish you both every success with
your moves and hope that we can catch up with you some time in the future.
Of course, one of the highlights for 2016 was the trip to the Federal Review which was held at
Ballarat in October. Squadron members were very successful in achieving awards in the various
individual competitions and were also successful in achieving first place in several of the drill
competitions. This is a fantastic result and brings great credit to the squadron and to the
Australian Air League in Queensland
We are not going to rest on past success but will continue to explore a variety of activities that
will maintain cadets interest and complement the aviation based theme of our organisation.
Mention has been made of a possible gliding camp during Term 1 and a trip to the RAAF
Heritage Centre at Amberley Air base.
With Group Review in 2017, practice in drill and preparation for more entries in individual
competitions will be a major part of our program for Terms 1 and 2.
We finished the year off with a fun activity at AquaSplash which was enjoyed by all cadets and
officers who tried hard to master the slippery conditions on the various slides. Thank you to
Louise Blown (Dominos Pacific Pines) for donating the pizzas to our hungry members for our
lunch in the park.
I want to thank all the officers, branch committee members and parents who have generously
volunteered their time, working harmoniously, to contribute to the squadrons success in 2016.
A special thank you to our resident jeweller extraordinaire, Second Officer James Anson and his

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 manager Alaine Anson for donating two beautiful pieces of jewellery as prizes for a raffle
which achieved more than $900 for the squadron cadets. Officer Anson combines his skill as a
jeweller with his vocal talent and guitar playing so looking forward to some sing-a-longs at
camps next year.
I wish all cadets, officers and their families a safe and Merry Christmas and look forward to
seeing you all again in 2017 refreshed and enthusiastic to meet the challenges ahead.

EDUCATION
It was all hands-on deck this Term in getting focussed on badge work to complete the final term
of this year. Federal Review kept us on our toes last term and due to lots of practice and
preparation (which showed in the fabulous results we achieved in Ballarat) a lot of education
work was carried over to this term. Exam night was held recently and it was great to see how
many cadets were well prepared which showed in the fantastic results.
In the weekend of 4-6 November, 11 cadets were nominated to attend the NCO camp which
prepares them for leadership skills. One of the valuable skills they learn in the air league. Look
forward to see these skills deployed in the New Year.
I would like to congratulate our most outstanding cadet for education this year, which was
awarded on presentation night to cadet Artem Belozerov. Well done Artem. As a quick
explanation and for the cadets to think about for the next year, to qualify for this award, you
must pass all badges. If you fail, you are out for this prestigious award.
Reflecting back on 2016, it has been a very busy year with a camp at Sharp Park, Group Review
in the Sunshine Coast, Anzac Day and Federal Review in Ballarat finishing with our break-up at
Aqua-Splash! It has been so rewarding to see the cadets participation, comradery and
friendships that have blossomed.
Finally, congratulations to all those cadets who received their awards on presentation night.
You worked hard for it and it is well deserved.
Enjoy the summer break and Merry Christmas to you all.
Squadron Lieutenant Beckers.

Gold Coast Branch Contacts

Officer Commanding Walter Savell email: oc.goldcoast@airleague.com.au, tel: 5502 9138

President David Stubbs email: davidstubbs@y7mail.com tel: 0412 485 346
Vice President Mel Chambers email: melchambers@bigpond.com tel: 0417 441 428
Secretary Michelle Duncombe email: shelleymail08@gmail.com tel: 0438 811 390
Treasurer Narelle Savell email: nel4212@hotmail.com tel: 0412 782 792

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PRESIDENTS REPORT
Another year over and time for us all to breathe a sigh of relief knowing that we can rest for a
few weeks. Another successful but busy year for the squadron with both Group and Federal
Review, Gold Coast Aviation Expo, Bunnings BBQs, raffle the list goes on.
None of these events could have proceeded without the dedication and hard work of our
officers and the members of the Branch Committee. I would like to take the opportunity to
express my thanks for their efforts over the last 12 months. Also a huge thank you to all the
parents who have dedicated many hours to transporting the cadets to these various activities
and assisted at the BBQs or by selling raffle tickets.

The squadron continues to maintain a sound financial position. The fund-raising activities
conducted throughout 2016 raised valuable funds that allowed the squadron to subsidise many
of the activities particularly the Federal Review in Ballarat.
Finally what a fantastic Awards Night. It was pleasing to see so many parents and family
attend. Congratulations to every cadet for their efforts on the night and special congratulations
to those cadets that received awards.
On behalf of the Branch Committee I would like to wish each of you a very merry and safe
Christmas and look forward to seeing you all back in 2017.

David Stubbs
Branch President

Gold Coast Squadron Meeting Details

Pacific Pines Primary School Auditorium, Santa Isobel Dr, Pacific Pines.
Friday nights during public school terms, 6.45pm 9.00pm.

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2016 AWARDS

Cadet of the Year James Field

Excellence in Education Artem Belozerov
Excellence in Drill Ben Chambers
Best and Fairest Brandon Beckers
Attendance Award Jordan Abuid
Citizenship Award Caitlin Duncombe
Encouragement Award Yernur Malakhov

Attendance Certificates Saveily Korshun

Yernur Malakhov

RAFFLE WINNERS

Prizes donated by James Anson - of Anson Jewellers http://www.ansonjewellers.com/

1st prize Silver ring set with Tanzanite won by Anna Rowe
2nd prize Southsea Pearl and Tahitian Pearl Necklace with silver chain won by Emma Owen

Fundraising Participants Draw:

Branka Windmon

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Thank you to all cadets who brought a gift along on Presentation Night. Your generosity has
inspired others. Peter Young, Division 5, Gold Coast Council wrote of the cadets:
We know they have big hearts - and they very generously provided to me a big collection of
wrapped Christmas gifts to be distributed to those less fortunate. That got me thinking, and at
last night's meeting of Christmas in the Park Pacific Pines we decided to encourage all of the
community to bring gifts this Saturday.

These will be provided to Gold Coast Ray of Hope. We welcome any non-perishable food or
gifts - unwrapped is OK - and these will help make a big difference to someone. THANK YOU Air
League for inspiring this.

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Supporters Corner

We wish to acknowledge and thank the following individuals, representatives and organisations
for their assistance and support both in the past and upcoming:
Nerang RSL Sub-Branch;
Mr Sid Cramp, Member for Gaven;
Stuart Robert MP, Federal
Member for Fadden;
Mr Peter Young, Councillor,
Division 5, Gold Coast Council;
Dominos Pizza, Pacific Pines;
Gold Coast Bulletin;
Airservices Gold Coast Airport;
FCB Full Colour Badges and Trophies;
Bunnings Oxenford;
Anson Jewellers.