Serena Kirby, Denmark Bulletin

Denmark Senior High School emergency services cadets gathered last week for a meet and greet with Local Government and Youth Minister Hannah Beazley.

Ms Beazley, who is also Emergency Services Minister Parliamentary Secretary, said the cadets program was the favourite thing in her portfolio.

“Participating in cadets is important because it’s been proven that out of all the recreational activities and sporting activities and community activities that young people can do, cadets has been proven to engender civic responsibility and volunteerism,” she said. 

Cadets meet the minister

“The Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner is very firmly embedded in my ear in terms of supporting the DFES cadets.

“You guys are the main recruitment ground and inspirational ground for becoming volunteers or, indeed, full-time professional firefighters.”

Members of the cadet team said that cadets had not only helped them acquire new skills but they had learnt self-discipline, confi dence and leadership qualities.

Local cadet coordinator Rob Jones said the ministerial visit was a great acknowledgement of what they did and that it was highly valued by the students.

“These kids give up their free time after school to train with local emergency services and our numbers have signifi cantly increased in the last two years as we now have 24 in the group,” Rob said.

Also attending the gathering was Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie and representatives from the Denmark police.

This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 29 August 2024.