Northam Youth in Emergency Services Cadets

10/06/2026

Today is Thank a First Responder Day.

For Northam YES Cadets, this day means a lot.

It is a chance to stop and recognise the people who step forward when the call comes in. The people who leave home at all hours, miss family time, put themselves under pressure, and do the work that often goes unseen.

To our firefighters, police, paramedics, SES volunteers, marine rescue crews, communications staff, emergency service volunteers and everyone working behind the scenes — thank you.

We are also incredibly proud that some of our own instructors are first responders themselves. They do not just teach our cadets about service, teamwork and community — they live it.

That example matters.

Our cadets are lucky to be surrounded by people who understand what it means to show up, stay calm under pressure, look after others and give back to their community.

From all of us at Northam YES Cadets, thank you to every first responder for what you do, what you carry, and the example you set for the next generation.

22/05/2026

🚨 MID YEAR RECRUITMENT NOW OPEN 🚨

Adventure starts here.

The Northam Youth in Emergency Services Cadets program is now welcoming applications for our 2026 mid-year intake.

If you know a young person aged 11–18 looking for something bigger than just another after-school activity — this is it.

Cadets train alongside career and volunteer emergency service professionals while developing real-world skills, leadership, resilience, confidence, teamwork, and lifelong friendships.

🔥 Fireground operations
🪢 Rescue & rope skills
📻 Emergency communications
🧭 Navigation & field skills
⛑️ Real-world emergency first aid

This program blends hands-on practical training with interactive, tactile, and engaging classroom-based learning — just like real emergency operations.

⭐ A program in a class of its own
✔ All uniforms & equipment supplied
✔ Minimal costs to participate
✔ Places are limited

📍 Northam & Surrounds
🕕 Tuesday nights during school term — 6:00PM to 8:00PM

Please share this post and help us spread the word.
Adventure starts here.

18/05/2026

This National Volunteer Week, we are recognising the incredible people behind our program — our dedicated volunteer Instructor and Leadership Team.
These are the people who give countless hours behind the scenes to support the ongoing growth and development of our cadets, our unit, and DFES Youth Programs more broadly.

Much of the work they do is never seen.
The planning.
The administration.
The mentoring.
The phone calls.
The preparation.
The logistics.
The problem solving.
The late nights.
The constant multitasking.

It takes an enormous amount of work to deliver a high-quality youth emergency services program, and our volunteers continue to step up time and time again.

Like ducks gliding across the water, they often appear calm, collected, and effortless on the surface — while underneath they are working tirelessly to ensure every activity, training night, exercise, and opportunity is delivered safely and professionally for our young people.

Today, we celebrate our Instructor Team.
Thank you for the time you give.
Thank you for the energy you invest.
Thank you for believing in our young people.
Thank you for helping shape the next generation.
Your commitment does not go unnoticed.

13/05/2026

Northam YES Cadets are taking on The Push-Up Challenge again in 2026!

Our cadets are stepping up once again to build fitness, resilience and awareness for mental health.

This challenge is about more than push-ups. It is about teamwork, commitment, supporting each other, and helping raise awareness for mental health in our community.

We are proud to see our cadets getting involved in something that promotes both physical wellbeing and positive conversations around mental health.

Please get behind the Northam YES Cadets and support their efforts.

Scan the QR code to donate and help support the challenge.

Every donation, share and message of support makes a difference.

Northam Youth Emergency Services Cadets
Youth. Community. Resilience.

09/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the incredible mums in our cadet community.

Today we want to pause and genuinely celebrate you.

To our cadet mums — thank you for the early drop-offs, the late pick-ups, the washed uniforms, the encouragement before training nights, the quiet support from the sidelines, and the pride you show in your young people as they grow into confident, capable and community-minded cadets.

To our career and volunteer mums — thank you for the example you set. You show our cadets what service, commitment and care for others truly looks like.

And to our amazing instructor mums — thank you for giving your time, your energy and your heart to help guide and mentor the next generation. Your impact reaches far beyond a training night.

Mums are often the steady hands behind the scenes, the ones who make sure everything happens, the ones who keep families moving, and the ones who give so much without ever asking for recognition.

Today, we hope you feel that recognition.

From all of us at Northam YES Cadets, we wish every mum, grandmother, stepmum, foster mum, mother figure and special woman in our cadet family a very happy Mother’s Day.

We hope your day is filled with love, appreciation, and a little bit of well-earned spoiling.

You are valued.
You are appreciated.
And today, we celebrate you.

Happy Mother’s Day.

09/05/2026

Today, our Northam YES Cadets proudly held our Firefighter Memorial Service in recognition of International Firefighters’ Day.

This important service was led by our cadets, who conducted the reading of the Honour Roll and took part in a wreath laying ceremony to honour firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities.

It was a solemn and meaningful occasion, and our cadets showed great respect, pride and maturity throughout the service.

We are incredibly proud of the way our young people continue to recognise the importance of service, sacrifice and community.

Today, we remember and honour those firefighters who gave everything in the protection of others.

We would also like to thank the volunteers who supported this special occasion, some who attended from surrounding towns.

We remember. We honour. We thank.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA Paul Papalia CSC MLA York Volunteer Fire & Rescue Shire of Northam Avon District Incident Support Brigade Western Australia Fire and Emergency Services Concert Band Northam Volunteer Fire and Rescue Northam and Districts State Emergency Service Bakers Hill Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade Wundowie Volunteer Fire & Rescue Service St John WA - Wundowie Lachlan Hunter MP Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services Association of WA Inc Bushfire Volunteers WA Hannah Beazley MLA The Northam Advertiser

04/05/2026

Today, on International Firefighters’ Day, our cadets pause to recognise and honour the courage, commitment and sacrifice of firefighters across our community, across Western Australia, and around the world.

We acknowledge the volunteer and career firefighters who step forward in times of need, often leaving their own families, workplaces and homes to protect others. Their service is a powerful example for our cadets, and a reminder of the values we strive to build in every young person — courage, teamwork, resilience, compassion and community service.

To all firefighters, past and present: thank you for your dedication, your leadership and the example you set for the next generation.

We remember. We respect. We thank you.

On International Firefighters’ Day, we recognise the extraordinary individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our community. We honour the memory of those lost in the line of duty and the unwavering spirit of all who wear the uniform today💙

Our firefighters face bushfires, house fires and complex road-crash rescues. They show up with courage and bravery in the face of uncertainty - a true testament to their character.

Today, take a moment to say thank you to our firefighters for their strength, their heart, and their service🙌

03/05/2026

Today, our cadets had the honour of attending the DFES Firefighter Memorial Service in recognition of International Firefighters’ Day, held each year on 4 May.

This important service is a time to pause, reflect, and pay our deepest respects to the firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities. It is also a moment to acknowledge the courage, commitment, and selflessness shown by firefighters every day — here in Western Australia and across the world.

International Firefighters’ Day is closely linked to St Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, whose legacy reminds us of the proud traditions, values, and sacrifices that underpin the firefighting family.

For our cadets, attending this service was a meaningful opportunity to better understand the legacy of service they are becoming part of. It was a reminder that wearing the uniform carries responsibility, respect, and a connection to those who have served before them.

We are incredibly proud of the way our cadets represented the program, standing respectfully alongside the broader emergency services community.

To those who have served, those who continue to serve, and those who never returned home — we honour you.

May their courage, service, and sacrifice never be forgotten.

25/04/2026

Today our cadets had the honour of attending this year’s Anzac Day service, standing proudly with our community to pay our respects to those who have served, those who continue to serve, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Each year, our unit is privileged to support the RSL with the banner party, and it is a responsibility our cadets carry with great pride, respect and maturity.

Anzac Day is an important reminder that the freedoms we enjoy today were secured through courage, service and sacrifice. It is vital that our young people continue to understand, honour and carry forward that legacy.

We are incredibly proud of our cadets for the way they represented themselves, their unit and their community today.

Lest we forget.

16/04/2026

As the celebrations for Youth Week 2026 come to a close, it is with the greatest pleasure that we introduce Caitlin Gray.

Caitlin’s story is deeply woven into the story of our unit itself. In 2019, at the inception of the very first Youth in Emergency Services Cadet unit in Western Australia here in Northam, Caitlin was one of the very first enrolment forms we received. She went on to become our very first Cadet Unit Leader in her final year of school before graduating and making the decision to transition into our instructor team.

Since then, Caitlin’s journey has continued to unfold alongside the growth of our unit. Watching her transition from cadet, to instructor, to getting married and becoming a mum herself has been a truly special journey to witness. Through every stage, her passion for the cadet program and for the amazing young people who make up our unit has remained constant.

Caitlin is a powerful force within our instructor team. She is always looking for ways to strengthen and develop the unit, ensuring we continue to evolve to meet the needs of our fantastic young people. Her passion, enthusiasm and commitment to the growth of others make her an invaluable part of our team.

Caitlin has become part of the furniture in the very best sense — a constant, trusted and deeply valued presence in our unit. We are incredibly fortunate to have someone so passionate and dedicated helping shape the development journey of our cadets.

As we close out Youth Week 2026, Caitlin’s story is a perfect reminder of the lasting impact of this program — not only on the young people who join it, but on the future leaders and mentors they become.

Strength in our stories means the impact of cadets lasts far beyond the uniform.