Community & Business
30 August, 2023
2023 Landowners and Tri-Service Cadets Day
Swartz Barracks, home of The Army Aviation Training Centre, was abuzz on 12 August, hosting its annual Landowners Day and Tri-Service Cadets Day.
The long running event provides an important opportunity for Army Aviation to engage with locals who live within the flight training area.
Army Aviation Training Centre Chief of Staff Lieutenant Colonel Steven Stockley said fostering the community’s support was important to the barracks and the day allows landowners to meet the pilots, crew and ground staff at the base.
“We have a very supportive community here in Oakey and days like this really reflect that,” he said.
“Over 409 landowners and their families were in attendance, and they spoke highly of our team and reiterated their support for our critical work in maintaining Army’s flying capability.
“We’re thankful for that”
For landowners it’s a great opportunity to meet the team that works at the Army Aviation Training Centre.
They were able to explore the static displays at the Australian Army Flying Museum, as well as walk through and sit in operational aircraft, including a Toll Bell 412 and a CH-47F Chinook from The Republic of Singapore Air Force along with an ARH Tiger on static display.
Entertained by the Harlaxton RSL Brass Band over lunch, a range of local food vans were available for the landowners as Army personnel mingled with residents and swapped stories of their time in Oakey.
Held in parallel, the Tri-Service Cadets Day saw Australian Army, Australian Navy and Australian Air Force Cadets from across the Toowoomba Region arrive at the base and shuttle between different activities, which included simulators, ADF Careers displays and virtual reality training scenarios for groundcrew.
Lt. Col. Stockley highlighted the significance of the opportunity for the cadets and introduced them to future career pathways in the services.
“These young people are pursuing a co-curricular activity that is centred on leadership and service and when they visit the barracks,” he said.
“We can introduce them to people who have chosen that pathway as a career and it’s an opportunity for us to let them ask the questions they want to ask, explore the aircraft or vehicles that one day they might choose to fly or drive.
“We are in a very competitive labour market globally, so showing young people the many excellent careers they can pursue in the Australian Defence Force is critical.”
Also displayed was a range of Army vehicles and capabilities, including Military Dogs, a Bushmaster and fire trucks.
“We are really focusing on the engagement opportunities we have in the community and looking at ways we can do more of it, whether that’s at events, visits to schools or hosting cadets, or through our staff meeting with landowners one-on-one – we want the community to be proud of our work,” Lt. Col. Stockley said.
