122 Army Cadet Unit Mackay Region

30/08/2026

LEGACY: Cadets launched into Legacy Week at Bunnings Paget today, joining others around Australia for the annual appeal to raise funds for Legacy through merchandise sales and donations.

Cadets were kept busy through the interest of many generous members of the public, funds being used by Legacy to support the partners and families of Veterans.

"We completely sold out of Army Bears, couldn't replenish our stock fast enough - then we simply ran out."

Thank-you to our Cadet volunteers and also thank-you to our customers and other members of the public who gave donations, most appreciated.

Other volunteers will operate Stalls during this coming week at Bunnings Paget, Parkside, Mirani and Sarina.

Australian Army Cadets - North Queensland Brigade
Australian Army Cadets

27/08/2026

23/08/2026

BIVOUAC: on a picturesque property at the headwaters of the Pioneer River, the Cadet Unit conducted a bivouac over the weekend as final preparation for the Annual Field Exercise (AFX) being held next month in Townsville 🇦🇺

Pleasant days but down to single digits at night, the slightly chilly Piquet kept security watch as we all slept on Friday and Saturday nights until Reveille was sounded at 0600 🎺

Cadets participated in a range of activities, including a Navex, fire and water Survival, a number of Pioneering obstacle crossing activities, a Search and Rescue scenario, and also a focus on basics such as living comfortably in the field, using a radio, conduct first aid and field cooking 🫕

2 Platoon was happy to have 105SQN AAFC on Bivouac only 500 metres away, providing a real opportunity to site and conduct an Observation Post on high ground, enabling lots of notes to be entered into the log 📝

The PAR feedback was a great weekend with a good variety of activities, mostly conducted by Cadets, that were enjoyed 😃

Australian Army Cadets - North Queensland Brigade
Australian Army Cadets

19/08/2026

VIETNAM: the Battle of Long Tan, a battle of resilience against overwhelming odds, is now nationally commemorated as Vietnam Veterans Day. 60 years on, a Service of Remembrance was held at the Long Tan Cross in Jubilee Park with a gathering of Veterans, Civic Leaders, ADF Cadets and members of the public.

The Cadet Unit provided a Catafalque Party on the Long Tan Cross as it has done annually since it's unveiling in 1996 (see clip in comments), plus a Flag Orderly, Piper and a Section of Volunteer Cadets formed up on Parade.

The Cadets undertook their duties well during the half hour ceremony, and were appreciated by those gathered with a round of applause as they marched off.

Cadets were invited by Veterans to Dinner later that evening, for which the Cadets and Staff were very greatful. 🍽️

📸 Mr Graham Jackson

Australian Army Cadets
Australian Army Cadets - North Queensland Brigade

15/08/2026

KWIK KWADS: the buzz of FPV Drones filled the air today as 131 Army Cadet Unit hosts the 80 Battalion Level 1 Drone Racing Weekend in Sarina.

Cadets and Officers from ACUs in Yeppoon, Sarina, Moranbah and Mackay are being put through their paces on both the computer simulators and the drones.

Enjoying the weekend with Cadets from near and far is CDT Rikus Du Toit, CDT Bradley Westcott and CDT William Ardrey, and delivering the package and keeping it all serviceable is LT(AAC) Rowan Cahill.

Another great STEM activity and also an opportunity for Cadets and Officers from around the Battalion to interact.

Australian Army Cadets - North Queensland Brigade
Australian Army Cadets

15/08/2026

INTERNATIONAL HOSTS: ✈️ flying north this morning to join other cadets and staff gathering in Townsville, CDTLCPL Logan Moran and CAPT(AAC) Alan Macaulay are part of a North Queensland AAC Brigade Team hosting members of the UK's Army Cadet Force visiting Australia for two weeks.

Based at Lavarack Barracks, the contingent of UK Cadets and Staff will experience both military and tourist aspects of Queensland, ranging from attending a Cadet Bivouac, being embedded into life at Australia's largest Army base and also visiting a wildlife sanctuary.

For the NQLD Brigade Host Team, a great cross cultural experience as they accompany the UK Cadets during their two weeks in NQ.

Australian Army Cadets - North Queensland Brigade
Australian Army Cadets
South West London Army Cadet Force

10/08/2026

TRI-SERVICE GAMES: a final burst of photos from the Mackay Region's annual ADF Cadet Games. A great day hosted at the Mackay RSL Sub Branch Wellness Centre, 4 Cadet Units came together to battle it out in a range of activities - Drill, Mini Golf, First Aid, Tug-of-War to name a few.

Cadets and Staff from Training Ship Pioneer ANC, 122 Army Cadet Unit AAC, 131 Army Cadet Unit AAC and 105 (City of Mackay) Squadron AAFC for a day of serious fun, supported by a number of dignitaries including the National Commander Australian Air Force Cadets, Officer Commanding 1 Wing AAFC, Brigade Commander North Queensland AAC Brigade, Regimental Sergeant Major North Queensland AAC Brigade, Mayor of Mackay Region and President of the Mackay RSL Subbranch.

A credit to all Units in the way competitions were entered into. Everyone was in a Team, plus there was additional activities to have a go at in between events, including a Scavenger Hunt and one-on-one Tug-of-War.

Looking forward to next year's already. 🙂

📸 CDTLCPL Eggins
📸 Mr Jackson

Australian Army Cadets - North Queensland Brigade
Australian Army Cadets

04/08/2026

FACES SAY IT ALL: photos that capture a variety of emotions at the Mackay Region's annual ADF Cadet Games.

Focusing, striving, encouraging or just having fun, Cadets from Training Ship Pioneer, 122 Army Cadet Unit, 131 Army Cadet Unit and 105 Squadron put their all into representing their Units at the competitions held at the Mackay RSL Sub Branch Wellness Centre.

While Cadets want the best for their Unit and strive for the Champion Trophy, the obvious comradery amongst the Cadets made for a day of good sportsmanship.

📸 Mr Graham Jackson

Australian Army Cadets
Australian Army Cadets - North Queensland Brigade

04/08/2026

MAKING IT WORK: the annual ADF Cadet Games is an opportunity for Cadets to fully immerse in participation, so Staff and Supporters from the participating Units are vital to free up Cadets to fully participate in doing their best to represent their Unit, be it Navy, Army or Air Force.

Adjudicating, encouraging, consoling, assessing, conducting, catering, presenting . . . the list is long, however its one of the great strengths of ADF Cadets, that Staff and Supporters across the Units work together for the common good - the Cadets.

Thank-you to all who helped make the day the success it was, from the planning to the doing to the reconditioning. And not just at the local level - supportive and encouraging attendance representing National, Wing, Brigade, Battalion and other Unit level. Great job by 105SQN being this year's lead Unit.

Thank-you also to the Mackay RSL Sub Branch Wellness Centre for the use of their facility.

A big effort from everyone to make it a great day.

📸 Mr Graham Jackson

Australian Army Cadets - North Queensland Brigade
Australian Army Cadets
Mackay RSL Sub Branch Wellness Centre

03/08/2026

TRI-SERVICE GAMES: a big day of competition and comradery, the annual ADF Cadet Games was held at the Mackay RSL Sub Branch Wellness Centre, a clash of skill, strength, training & good luck between Training Ship Pioneer ANC, 122 Army Cadet Unit Mackay & Whitsunday AAC, 131 Army Cadet Unit Sarina AAC and 105 "City of Mackay" Squadron AAFC.

Cadets competed in a range of both individual and team activities throughout the day, with team points all tallying for the overall Trophy.

A big effort by all of our Cadets in attendance, with everyone in at least 1 team activity. Congratulations to our First Aid Team who took out First Place. Congratulations also to our 'Pomegranate' Toss Team in First Place.

Overall Champions was Army, with congratulations to 131 Army Cadet Unit in the final points tally.

Overall Winners of course were the Cadets, with a great activity of friendly rivalry between Units, Cadets from all Services mixing and mingling throughout the day.

The Reviewing Officer for the Games was National Commander Australian Air Force Cadets, Group Captain (AAFC) Stephen Johns ASM, accompanied by Officer Commanding No. 1 Wing AAFC, Wing Commander (AAFC) Ken Whelan.

Flying the flag for Army, we were pleased to welcome the Commander North Queensland Australian Army Cadet Brigade, Colonel Scott Revell CSM, and the Regimental Sergeant Major of the North Queensland Australian Army Cadet Brigade, Warrant Officer Class 1 Denis Paice. Visiting also was Officer Commanding 132nd Australian Army Cadet Unit Yeppoon, Captain AAC Tatiana George and ADF Liasion Officer 80 Battalion, Warrant Officer George Thorogood.

Enjoy this small summary selection of photos. Many more in coming days, thanks to our photographers.

📸 CDTLCPL Connor Eggins
📸 Mr Graham Jackson

Australian Army Cadets - North Queensland Brigade
Australian Army Cadets