Australian Air Cadets Alumni Network.
Welcome to the website for the Australian Air Cadets Alumni Network (Alumni).
This website was created after an overwhelmingly positive response was received from past cadets and staff to
register their interest in forming an Alumni.
The objectives of the Alumni are to:
• Facilitate contact among former cadets and staff
• Share information and news on current Australian Air Force Cadet (AAFC) Wing and Squadron events
• Provide former cadets and staff with a worthwhile opportunity to contribute to an organisation they value,
and
• Help raise funds to assist extra AAFC cadet activities.
Background.
In 2010 the AAFC National Council Inc, formed an Alumni Working Group to gauge the level of interest in forming an
Alumni. There was a very strong response from past members of the air cadet community and the AAFC National
Council Inc established an Alumni group as a first step. The hub of the Alumni Network is a website and database that
support administration and operation of Alumni activities. The AAFC National Council Inc is the organisation that
underpins
the Alumni and controls the website. A number of Alumni volunteers assist with the operation of the Alumni including
an Alumni Director, Network Co-ordinator, Website Administrator and Wing Liaison Officers who provide regional
contacts with the respective AAFC Wings.
AAFC National Council
What would you like to do now? (Click on the required link below)
Join the Air Cadets Alumni Network
Find out more about the Alumni
Read past Newsletters
Submit photos
Submit stories
Make contact with past air cadet members
Contact the Director
Contact a Wing Liaison Officer
Make a Donation to the Australian Air Cadets Alumni Network
The
Australian
Air
Force
Cadets
National
Council
Inc.
ABN
14
558
765
293
(AAFC
National
Council
Inc.)
maintains
close
links
with,
but
is
independent
of,
the
AAFC
and
Air
Force.
The
role
of
the
AAFC
National
Council
Inc.
is
to
promote
and
support
the
interests
of
the
AAFC
both
within
Defence
and
the
wider
community,
and
to
stimulate
the
interest
of
cadets
in
all
aspects
of
aviation
through
its
military and civilian aviation contacts
The
AAFC
National
Council
Inc.
is
a
'not-for-profit'
organisation
with
Deductable Gift Recipient status.
The
AAFC
National
Council
Inc.
will
control how funds are expended.
You
can
find
out
more
about
the
AAFC
National Council Inc.
here.
The Alumni is open to those who have worn a uniform as a cadet or staff member of the ATC,
AirTC or AAFC and to former staff or cadets of equivalent organisations in Commonwealth nations
or any other person who has or had a bona fide relationship with the air cadets. For example,
current AAFC staff members may fall into this category. If you would like to join the Alumni, you
can register your details here... Register to join the Alumni
Note, for ADF members using DRN, you may like to forward your details directly to our Alumni
Director or Network Co-ordinator including Surname, First Name, Email address, Contact
phone Number, Postcode, Last ATC/AirTC/AAFC Unit and State (e.g 18FLT QLD and First year
in or associated with Air Cadets.
Change of Personal Details: If any of your contact details change please advise the Network
Co-ordinator
Note: Since email is our primary means of communicating with Alumni Network members, it is
particularly important to keep us up to date with your current email address.
Alumni Operation
Contacts. The Alumni offers the opportunity to re-establish contact between former cadets and/or
staff. The website provides this facility through a contact list on the Bulletin Board. You simply
email your contact details and the details of anyone you would like to contact to the Web
Administrator, and the information will appear under Contacts on the Bulletin Board. Those in the
Alumni interested in making contact will be able to do so through the contact details you provide.
See the Bulletin Board for further information.
Alumni facebook page. Another great way of making and keeping contact is through the Alumni
facebook page. This is a good place to find current news and information on recent cadet and
Alumni happenings. Our younger network users in particular find the facebook page a useful
Alumni resource. Look for the facebook icon on the Homepage.
Newsletters. The Alumni publishes occasional informative newsletters and they are distributed
electronically to all members on the database. All Alumni are encouraged to submit articles of
interest to the Alumni Director. Past editions of the Newsletters can be found in the archive on the
Bulletin Board here. However, the best way to stay current on Alumni activities is through the
Bulletin Board notices so please save the Alumni Website on your Desktop and make a habit of
checking back with us at regular intervals.
Photo Gallery. Another Website feature includes the photo gallery where photos of your time with
the Air Cadets can be published and shared with others in the Alumni. Those photos you have will
be of interest to others so send them in to the Web Administrator.
Future Development. The website might also include a discussion forum in future if there is a
demand for it. However, how the Alumni develops and the how the website evolves to support our
activities is largely up to you, the Alumni is your organization. Please make the most of what the
Alumni and website can offer and contribute stories, photos and suggestions. In the longer term,
the Alumni may progress to become an independent body; however, such an action would involve
agreement between those in the Alumni at that time.
This website aims to assist with fostering personal links within the Alumni and between the Alumni
and the Wings and Squadrons of the AAFC. This is being progressively achieved by the Wing
Liaison Officers keeping you informed of broader AAFC activities as well as specific notable Wing
and Squadron activities. We value your thoughts and ideas about ways to benefit the AAFC or the
Alumni by contributing to their growth and development. You can provide your constructive
suggestions to the Alumni Director at any time.
Network Information
AAFC Significant Events
Wing News
1 Wing (North QLD)
2 Wing (South QLD)
3 Wing (NSW & ACT)
4 Wing (VIC)
5 Wing (TAS)
6 Wing (SA)
7 Wing (WA)
8 Wing (NT)
Alumni Contact
Check below to see if anyone from your old cadet unit is looking to make contact
To
add
your
enquiry,
email
your
requested
contact
(Wing/Squadron/Flight
or
Cadet),
approximate
time
frame
and
your
email address or contact number to the
Web Administrator
.
These details will then be visible on the Contact List.
To view the Contact List, click on this link:
Heard of the Air Training
Corps/AAFC Memorabilia
Collection?
Located at Benalla Aviation Museum at
Benalla Airport in Victoria, this display is
highly recommenced for a group visit.
See more at our facebook page or go to
http://www.benallaaviationmuseum.org.au/
View all Alumni
Newsletters online
here:
To
help
us
improve
your
Alumni
experience,
we
need
YOUR
feedback...
NEWS
View
AAFC
Operational
Activities
Report
Here.
This
is
a
compilation
of
stories
and
photos
that
have
been
published
and/or
submitted
to
Air
Force
News and other media outlets across the country over this past 12 months.
Our Photo Gallery pages are continually being updated.
Contributors are sometimes unable to recall all of the names of those shown.
Check your State‘s page to see if you have made an appearance, or can help identify former cadets.
“75 Years Aloft”
The
Governor-General,
Sir
Peter
Cosgrove
AK
MC
(Retd),
launched
the
book
in
Canberra
on
Sunday,
28th
February,
2016
at
a
ceremony
to
mark
the
beginning
of
a
year
of
celebration
to
mark
our
75
year
history.
In
the
words
of
the
Chief
of
Air
Force,
Air
Marshal
Leo
Davies:
"We
now
have
it!
Captured
for
all
airpower
advocates to appreciate".
View the Governor-General’s speech HERE
View the Commander’s reply HERE
In
February
1941
the
War
Cabinet
approved
the
formation
of
a
cadet
corps
as
part
of
the
RAAF
Reserve.
Its
primary
objective
was
to
train
young
men
aged
between
16
and
18
who
desired
to
eventually
join
the
wartime
RAAF.
On
this
day
the
name
'Air
Training
Corps'
(ATC)
was
formally
adopted
and
Mr
W.A.
Robertson
was
appointed
as
Director
with
the
rank
of
Group
Captain.
The
original
staff
of
the
Directorate
of
ATC
commenced
duty
on
11
June
and
the
first
ATC
Wing
came
into
being
on
12
August.
Wings
had
been
formed
in
all
States
by
1
October.
Although
staffed
by
a
small
nucleus
of
RAAF
personnel,
most
of
the
ATC’s
instructors
were
unpaid
volunteers.
By
31
October
1943,
12,640
cadets
were
under
training.
Although
this
number
declined
to
7,557 when the Pacific War ended in August 1945, by then just short of 12 000 former members had gone on to enlist
in the RAAF.
A brief history of the Air Training Corps (now the Australian Air Force Cadets) is here:
www.aafc.org.au/who-we-are/history
Boeing
The
Boeing
company
have
been
a
great
supporter
of
the
AAFC
and
in
particular
the
IACE
programme.
Here
is
a
short
video
of
the
company’s early days.
boeingstore/videos/1327199487308585/
The Alumni Network is now on Linkedin. Click Here
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Preserving Amberley’s Heritage
Read the article from Air Force Association’s
WINGS magazine.
(If using Firefox, you may need to check your downloads)
As former cadets, you are eligible for membership in the Air
Force Association. Contact your State Branch for details.
I wish to put the feelers out there for any one who would remember me.
Commenced no 2 Flight Preston in March 1968, and ceased December 1972 have attained the rank of Cadet Under
Officer and being lucky enough to obtain a Flying Scholarship.
Shortly after completing my time in Cadets I applied and was rejected by the RAAF to join Basic Flying Training
School at Point Cook.
Still keen on aviation I applied to and was successful, so I joined Air Traffic Control.
I still work as Traffic Manager ATC, Sydney Terminal Unit at Kingsford Smith airport.
My time in Cadets put me on this path and I shall be ever grateful for the guidance and inspiration I gained.
If anyone remembers me and would like to say hi,
Please contact
spahki54@gmail.com
Kindest regards
Mark Hodgson
This notice is temporary. See Contact List above for ongoing info.
Click on image to
enlarge
Thank you for your generous support.
The
AAFC
National
Council
Inc.
is
a
‘not
for
profit’
organisation
with
Deductable
Gift
Recipient
status.
The
AAFC
National
Council
Inc.
will
control
how
funds
are
expended.
Donations
to
assist
the
AAFC
National
Council
Inc.
in
carrying
out
its
role
can
be
made to the Treasurer
(a)
By
cheque
or
money
order
mailed
to
PO
Box
1657,
Southport
QLD
4215
enclosing details of your name, postal address, and contact phone number OR
(b)
By
direct
Bank
deposit:
Commonwealth
Bank;
BSB
062000
Account
No:
10126172
Account
Name
Australian
Air
Force
Cadets
Nat.
Cnc.
Inc.
Use
your
name
or
company
as
the
Bank
deposit
reference.
After
making
payment,
please
notify
the
Treasurer at PO Box 1657 Southport QLD 4215 or email
treasurer@aafcnc.org.au
Photo Gallery
Your contributions are most welcome.
Please send your photos to: Web Administrator.
Please note:
1.
Photos must be in jpg, gif or bmp format.
2.
We will do our best, but photos of low resolution may not be able to be included.
3.
By submitting photos you are certifying you have permission to publish the material.
Click on photos to enlarge
Air Cadets Photos
of National Significance
Visit the links below to view photos by State / Territory.
Here
are
some
ATC
photos
from
WW2
that
are
of
historical
interest.
The
first
two
photos
appear
in
a
1943
Book
called
The
Air
Force
Log
produced
by
the
RAAF
Directorate of Public Relations. The third photo shows ATC cadets being instructed on the old Link Trainer, probably from about the same time frame.
View more photos and items of interest of the WW2 era
Here
.
Saturday, April 12, 2014: Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, the Hon. Darren Chester (centre) officially opened
the Australian Air Force Cadets National Aviation Centre in Bathurst. On display were 19 new gliders that have
been purchased by Air Force ~ all the more reason to learn to fly.
The Royal Australian Air Force has overseen the $5 million project at Bathurst Aerodrome. Bathurst will become
home to a National Aviation Centre for 7100 young Australian Air Force Cadet (AAFC).
“The facility will make aviation training more accessible for Cadets from around Australia,” Mr Chester said. “It will
be used by Cadets aged between 13 and 20 years-of-age who will travel from all over Australia to participate in
weekend and school holiday aviation camps in Bathurst. Bathurst was chosen as the home for the AAFC’s
dedicated National Aviation Centre for its uncongested airspace, whilst remaining close to Sydney which will
provide easy access for Cadets from around Australia.”
50th Anniversary of Air Force cadets. RAAF Base Fairbairn, Canberra (27 April 1991)
Presentation
of
the
AIRTC
National
Banner
by
Chief
of
Air
Staff,
AIRMSHL
Ray
Funnell
to
Banner
Bearer
CUO
Campbell
Letson
from 16FLT (Moonee Ponds) VICAIRTC
Dedication
of
the
AIRTC
National
Banner
by
Chaplain (GPCAPT) Jack Pilgrim
parading the AIRTC National Banner
The following photos were taken at the AAFC participation in the RAF Schools Aerospace Challenge at
Cranfield Universtiy, as part of the Queen’s Jubilee year in July 2012.
Participants are:
GPCAPT Warren Bishop DETCDR
FLTLT (AAFC) Lisa Karbon 3 Wing
CFSGT Eden Maynard 203SQN
CSGT Tiffany Chapman 406SQN
LCDT Dillon McGrath 315SQN
Administration:
Alumni Director
Membership:
Application to join the Alumni
Update Membership Details:
Please send an email with the changes to the
Network Co-ordinator
.
Contact former cadets and staff
:
Submit
your
enquiry
details
to
Alumni
Contact
per
the
Web
Administrator
,
detailing
Wing/Squadron/Flight
or
Cadet,
approximate
time
frame,
your
email address or phone number. Note that these details will be publicly visible when added to the Alumni Contacts list on the Bulletin Board.
Web Site:
Web Administrator
Wing Liaison Officers:
1 Wing
(North QLD)
2 Wing
(South QLD)
3 Wing
(NSW / ACT)
4 Wing
(VIC)
5 Wing
(TAS)
6 Wing
(SA)
7 Wing
(WA)
8 Wing
(NT)
Contacts
Victoria
Click on photos to enlarge
408Sqdn (East Ringwood) are regular participants at Yarra Valley Vietnam Veterans Day commemorations.
Michael Bennett, Great Grandson of Sir John
Monash inveiled the plaque.
408 Squadron at the Centenary of Lilydale Militia Camp 1914
Former Victorian Premier and Chair of the Victorian
Centenary of Anzac Committee, The Hon. Ted
Bailleau praised the AAFC cadets as a fitting tribute
to Sir Richard Williams.
Captain Ryan Bell 5/6RVR & Major (Rtd)
Michael Phelps unveiled the Storyboard.
For more details of this event, go to facebook page, Lilydale Militia Camp 1914.
1986 Weapons Course RAAF Laverton
Former
CDTCPL
Scott
Oliver
has
sent
in
this
snap.
(That’s
Scott
middle
row
on
the
right
and
former
CDTCPL Dennis Majen, front right) Anyone else able to identify themselvers here?
Click on image to enlarge
From Brian Candler:
The group of “gentlemen” are the Victorian Squadron CUO Course and their
instructors at RAAF East Sale in 1965. I can only identify myself (back row, far
left) Hilton Lenard (next to me), Wayne Moss (next to Hilton) and Douglas Lay
(back row, far right).
The Dakota was taken 09Jan64 on a local flight from RAAF East Sale – a flight
for participants on the Corporal’s Course that year, I think. The head in the
Navigator’s astrodome is mine.
I was looking through my old documents the other day and
came across my certificate of appointment as a CDTUO in
January 1981. This would have made 15yrs 4 months
upon appointment. Was wondering if this was the youngest
CDTUO appointment ?
I was on No. 11 course at RAAF East Sale.
Regards
Chris McGrath
17 Flight Brighton:
Photo from our visit to Sale Base in 1967 for
7 days Flight 17 Brighton in Melbourne along
with others. We had a great time lots of cargo
days in DC3 with Trainee Pilots and an hour
in a 2 seater RAAF Winjeel trainer also a
flight in a DC-4 Caribou on our second last
day was an EPIC lesson in STOL.
Contributor: Phillip Ivor Hart.
A.C.T.
Click on photos to enlarge
15FLT AIRTC RAAF Fairbain Passing Out Parade 1987.
Parade Commander: Cadet Under Officer Smith G.R. B114189
15FLT AIRTC Group Photo 1980
315 Squadron was formed as 15 Flight of No. 2 New South Wales Squadron Air Training Corps (ATC) on 27
September 1951 at Fairbairn Airbase, the site later renamed as RAAF Base Fairbairn in Canberra, ACT. This
unit can also trace lineage to No. 43 Squadron of 2 Wing ATC established in Canberra during World War II.
N.S.W.
Click on photos to enlarge
The last big GST camp to be held at Wagga Wagga.
With the number of cadets and the JNCO and SNCO courses it was possible to hold a full wing parade.
Bill Kirkwood was a member of 10FLT Tamworth ATC 1971 - 1975. He attained the rank of CUO in 1974 and joined the PAF in
June 75. He has since completed 37 years PAF service and is now in the RAAFAR (SEG) and working as a Reservist part
time in of all places, Cadets Branch -Air Force in Canberra! His father - a former RAAF WWII pilot (B24 Liberators) was an
instructor with 10 FLT at the same time. These photos - Bill (Cadet number 107413) and his Dad (FLTLT Bill Kirkwood Snr.)
and then one of the Flight marching in Tamworth - ANZAC Day 1971
1971
1974
Russell Bryant (106541)
CUO 9Flt ATC.
1973
9 Flight Canterbury Boys High School
The flight was always small mainly because the school population was around 400, and the majority of students wanting to join the
cadets gravitated to the Army cadet unit that was also at the school.
The flight compliment did grow as demonstrated by the 1974 image.
Number 9 Flight naturally suffered from the dissolution of cadet units and never returned to the school.
On this day in Air Force history:
19410428 28/04/1941 Air Training Corps formed
In
February
1941
the
War
Cabinet
approved
the
formation
of
a
cadet
corps
as
part of the RAAF Reserve.
Its
primary
objective
was
to
train
young
men
aged
between
16
and
18
who
desired
to
eventually
join
the
wartime
RAAF.
On
this
day
the
name
'Air
Training
Corps'
(ATC)
was
formally
adopted
and
Mr
W.A.
Robertson
was
appointed
as
Director with the rank of Group Captain.
The
original
staff
of
the
Directorate
of
ATC
commenced
duty
on
11
June
and
the
first
ATC
Wing
came
into
being
on
12
August.
Wings
had
been
formed
in
all
States by 1 October.
Although
staffed
by
a
small
nucleus
of
RAAF
personnel,
most
of
the
ATC’s
instructors
were
unpaid
volunteers.
By
31
October
1943,
12
640
cadets
were
under training.
Although
this
number
declined
to
7557
when
the
Pacific
War
ended
in
August
1945,
by
then
just
short
of
12
000
former
members
had
gone
on
to
enlist
in
the
RAAF.
S.A.
Click on photos to enlarge
‘In October 1941, when I was seventeen, I noticed in a newspaper that the Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF) was to start the South Australian section of the
Air Training Corps (ATC), a part of the Empire Air Training Scheme.
.....
Within
a
few
days
I
was
advised
that
I
had
been
accepted
in
the
Corps
and,
to
my
delight,
was
advised
that
I
had
the
proud
distinction
of
being
the
first
cadet
in
the
South
Australian
Air
Training Corps.
The fascinating story of the first South Australian Air Training Corps Cadet.
Click on book to view more details.
W.A.
Click on photos to enlarge
Taken in 2000.
Warren Bishop was the RAAF Liaison Officer back then, when he was SENGO 2FTS.
Unfortunately, he cannot remember their names.
Can anyone help here? Web Admin.
Warren Bishop with 725SQN Derby cadets at RAAF Curtin. Does 725SQN still exist?
Due
to
the
large
number
of
photos
on
this
page,
a
slideshow
is
available.
Click
on
any
photo
to
activate and click on photo strip to select photos.
2FTS sortie to Cunderdin in 2001
At the time of the change from AIRTC to AAFC, in 2001, 7WG HQ moved from
Perth to their new digs at RAAAF Base Pearce.
Contact Enquiries
Wing/Squadron/Flight/Cadet
Circa
email/contact
4 Flight North Melbourne
1959-63
Bob Gannaway
16 Flight North Melbourne
1960-64
Dakota38@optusnet.com.au
7 Flight Coburg High School
1960-64
Dakota38@optusnet.com.au
19FLT (Perry Park then to Alice Street, Brisbane)
1959 - 1962
roco@westnet.com.au
18FLT Sherwood
1963 - 1972
roco@westnet.com.au
Reservist/Instructor/Admin
1FLT Brisbane
1961-1964
barrywalters@grapevine.com.au
Auxiliary Instructor/ADF Support 34FLT/334SQN of 3WG since 1994
26FLT AIRTC Latrobe Valley Vic
1974-77
Warren.Bishop@defence.gov.au
GRP CPTN - RAAF Aeronautical Engineer
23FLT Caloundra
1993
0400 249 528
Jade Rogerson aka Roger Ramjet. Ex CUO
9 Flight Brisbane State High
1951-1953
bob.wilson.mymail@gmail.com
Robin (Bob) Wilson
8 Flight Amberley
1978 to 1982 Cadet michael.kelly@defence.gov.au
1987 to 1988 Instructor
16 Flight, North Melbourne
1977 – 1985 bradleyallan@hotmail.com
No.16 Flight Essendon (CO Albert Lindner)
1991-1992
blanyves@optusnet.com.au
Linley Bignoux AirTC Cadet,
29 Flt Orange NSW
1963 - 1967
Contact the Alumni Director
Philip Speet followed on becoming a reservist (ATC Duties) in 1967. He went through the
"hard" years of the ATC in 1975-1978 before the organisation became the AIRTC
1978-9 - 12 Flt Newington College, Stanmore where he acted as Flight Commander after Vic Divola became CO NSW SQN until I went to Melbourne
1979 - 11 Flt West Footscray as an instructor.
1979 - 29 Flt Orange as an instructor, PLTOFF (AIRTC).
1980-1 - 12 Flt Newington - Flight Commander
1981-93 - 27 Flt - Flight Commander. (FLTLT(AIRTC); moved to SUSYD Neutral Bay then QF Base at Mascot after the RAAF moved out of Hickson Rd
followed on in RAAFA.
23 FLT ATC St Marys
1968 to 1971
javelin@iprimus.com.au
105122 CUO (Rtd ?) Graham George Darr
11 Flight Footscray
1978 to 1983
mbarber3@bigpond.net.au
Marc Barber
15Flt AirTC
grsmith@iinet.net.au
Graham Smith
2 Flight Preston
1968 - 1972
spahki54@gmail.com
Mark Hodgson