The unit is having its final New Recruit Info Night for 2024 on next Wed 7th August as per details listed below. The night will showcase 206 Army Cadet Unit and highlight a sample of training activities conducted. If you want to attend the Info Night please ensure you register (click here to Register to attend). If you or your friends want to join 206 ACU as a new recruit be sure to register early as we have limited places for available for new recruits to join at this time. This recruitment period will be the last time you can join the unit until February 2025.

Once you have registered to attend the New Recruit Info Night we will send you the New Recruit Joining Pack documents. These documents contain instructions for the steps required to complete your enrolment. Once the enrolment process is completed you will officially become a new recruit in the unit.

If you have any questions about the unit or enrolment process please email us on staff(at)206acu.org.au

Time: 1850h (6:50pm) - 2015h (8:15pm)

Date: Wedensday 7th August 2024

Loc: Online ZOOM Meeting

(click here to Register to attend)

In the recent school holidays, one 206 ACU Cadet participated in a week-long Public Affair Course, together with Navy and Army Cadets from across the country. The Cadets were able to learn and develop their public affairs knowledge and skills in writing articles and social media content, as well as how to capture professional and memorable photos that will help boost the awareness of Cadets in the community. To give the Cadets challenges and tasks, the Public Affairs course joined the 140 Navy Cadets participating in their annual Fleet Engagement Camp (FEC).

Navy and Army Australian together with international Cadets, alongside Officers and Staff, smiling for the camera on Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour

From12th to 19th April 2024, Cadet Corporal Scarlett Gilmore from 206 ACU took part in the course with 16 other Army and Navy Cadets, based all across Australia. Over the first few days, the Cadets were at the RAAF Base Glenbrook participating in Public Affairs Course One, before moving to Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour, where they joined up with the Fleet Engagement Camp 2024 and participating and photographed activities with the Royal Australian Navy and the NSW Police Marine Area Command, including visits to Fleet Base East, HMAS Waterhen, HMAS Penguin, a tour of the guided missile destroyer, HMAS Sydney (V), and with a visiting Royal Australia Navy Sea Hawke helicopter. The course concluded by spending the final day and night aboard amphibious assault ship and flagship of the Royal Australian Navy, HMAS Canberra (III).

Navy and Army Cadets with Royal Australian Navy Pilot and Sea Hawke helicopter on Cockatoo Island

The Public Affairs Course One provides knowledge and skills to the Cadets, to be able to promote the AAC activities through the Cadet Program but also the wider community, through capturing and editing professional photographic images and writing appropriate and correct captions, Public Affairs Course Two is solely focused on advanced photography techniques as well as videography, editing techniques and the composition of article pieces for media releases. On the week-long course, the Navy and Army cadets were taught the skills of a Public Affair Officer beginning with beginner photography skills, and how to write captivating captions and articles that show the communities. At the end of the week, the 16 cadets accomplished advanced photography skills and were awarded certificates on becoming a Public Affairs Officer. 

Not only did the 16 Cadets grow and learn the skills to become Public Affairs Officers, but they were also able to bond and work with each other to make lasting memories on camera and also in person. CDTCPL Gilmore said “I found that when it came to working with the Army and Navy Cadets I was able to freely grow and learn with the other Cadets to improve my skills in the Public Affairs Course”

“I met so many people, formed connections through our experiences during the course and it was amazing to work with Cadets that share similarities in our journey in the ADF Cadets despite the different Cadet programs,” said CDTCPL Gilmore. “I will be taking the skills and knowledge I was able to gain from the Public Affairs Course to use for the rest of my Defence Force journey”

Public Affairs Course One class photo at RAAF Base Glenbrook.

“After completing this course, I’m thrilled to say that I’m able to bring my knowledge and the role
of Public Affairs Officer back to my Unit, so the community and families of the Cadets can see
what the unit is doing and how far a Cadet’s improvement in their training is going,” said CDTCPL Gilmore.

At the end of the week-long course, the 16 newly appointed Public Affairs officers were able to go back to their home units with the skills and experience they gained while on the Public Affair Course and continue to grow and expand the awareness of ADF Cadets to local communities and promote and show what Cadets have to offer.