BRWA Cadets 2022

Registration Link is at the bottom of this page however, we request you read this important information first.

Our Bush Ranger Cadet Unit was established in 1998 and is co-ordinated by a combined staff and community team. Parents are most welcome to participate in a variety of active and support roles. All activities and training are supported exhaustively by Dept. Biodiversity Conservation and Activities and the Department for Local Government and Communities - Office of Youth who provide resources, materials, assistance, training, advice and access to specialist facilities like the Shark Bay Peron Camp, Credo Station, Perot Fire Training, National Parks, Penguin Island and marine facilities. Cadets are also encouraged to undertake personal challenges such as The Duke of Edinburgh Award.

It is also possible through cadets Year 10, 11 and 12 students can achieve:

• Up to three units towards their WACE Year 12 Graduation Certificate.
• Senior First Aid Certification counts towards WACE and paid for by the unit.
• In years 11 and 12 two additional SCSA Community Endorsed Units developed by DSHS.
• Access to the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Cadets can count as 3 of the 4 required components for the award.

An active and challenging program is offered to all cadets each year that may include;

An appreciation and understanding of our environment and its conservation

• Hands on instruction in reptiles and snakes, birds, insects, flora and ecosystems.
• Saving sand dunes and beaches, brushing, planting, trail maintenance.
• Caving, exploring, trekking, bush walks.

Practical survival and bushcraft skills

• Learning about, sampling and identifying bush tucker.
• Survival in Australian environments, dealing with emergencies, using resources.
• First Aid (The Unit pays for all Year 10 and 11 cadets complete their Senior First Aid).
• Orienteering, mapping and compass challenges.
• Visits to habitats to study flora and fauna including forests, coasts or deserts.

Community, leadership, personal and social skills

• Training in active citizenship in our community and the environment.
• Challenge events including over-night trekking and camping.
• Abseiling, climbing, games and tribe competitions.
• Appreciating Aboriginality - living off the land, understanding beliefs and appreciating people.

Projects that contribute to the environmental and social quality of our land and marine areas

• Eradication of exotic weeds in bushland and agricultural areas e.g. lupins and lavender.
• Participation in community, Council and D.B.C.A. projects including the Grey Shack Community dune restoration, and Tambellup salinity farms initiative.
• Visiting Shark Bay Peron camp to study snakes, dugongs and human interaction with habitats including tourism activity.

“F.A.Q.s”

Are there joining costs?

Yes.   It costs $40 to join the unit. Payment to be made when submitting your application form.

Where Do I get the Uniform from?

New cadets will be issued a uniform, at no cost, once they start attending cadet meetings. Cadets must take care of their uniform and wear it to all meetings and activities.

Are there any other costs?

Yes. There are sometimes costs involved with activities and camps. These are kept to a minimum and usually apply to optional activities. Advance notice is always given of any costs cadets are expected to cover and is included in the school’s cost schedule statement to parents.

Who funds Cadets?

The WA Government, through Cadets W.A., provides a grant to each Cadet Unit each year. Duncraig S.H.S. Cadet Unit has a large asset and resource base including tents, mats, swags, back packs, uniforms, gazebo shelters, cameras, specialist UHF equipment, first aid kits, hydroponics project, and shade house for trees …...

Does the Cadet Unit supply everything for camps?

No.   In addition to personal equipment and bedding, Cadets are required to supply and prepare all their own meals on camps and provide their own eating utensils. The unit will provide tents, sleeping mats, fridges/eskies, cooking implements such as ovens, eskies, etc.

When does the Unit meet?

Weekly meetings are held in the school gymnasium on Tuesdays starting at 3.15pm and concluding at 5.00pm. Parents need to make arrangements with their child to get home after each meeting.

Who can join?

Anyone student currently enrolled in Years 7 to 12 is eligible to apply. We currently have well over 80 cadets. Senior Cadets (Years 9 and above) can nominate for leadership positions.

Is weekly attendance compulsory?

Cadets are expected to make a commitment to the unit and part of the commitment is to attend all activities and this includes weekly meetings, excursions, two parade nights and camps. There are some camps activities offered as options and whilst attendance to these activities is optional it is enthusiastically encouraged. It is accepted that there are times when a cadet has valid reason for not attending and these reasons should be communicated to the Chief Instructor before the activity. Occasionally, at exam times, Cadets may take leave to study.

What do we do each week?

The weekly activities are many and varied and include – drill, games, BBQs, research, community service, camp preparation, team work, guest speakers. Cadets are also required to complete log books which recording their learning experiences and their achievements. In addition there is at least one major unit activity each term such as a camp, excursion or incursion.

“It’s all part of the Adventure”