TWENTY Myall Coast teenagers learnt valuable life lessons in teamwork, resilience and communication in the SES Cadet training program last week.

The weeklong course prepared the next generation of volunteers for handling emergency situations,

The group were able to test their new skills in simulated search and rescue operations during a field trip to Camp Elim.

Taking to the water in flood boats for river rescues, navigating land searches and learning hauling techniques for retrieval operations were all part of the program.

After successfully completing the course, Cadet Taylah Boyle said she was now considering joining the Emergency Services.

“The course allowed us to put the theory into practice and showed just how important the SES is in emergency situations,” she said.

“I’m developing the skills needed to be able to go out and help people and it makes you feel good knowing that you are able to contribute to the community.”

To gain an understanding of the inner workings of the SES, the Cadets also visited the Taree Emergency Precinct as part of the course.

The Cadet program is now in its eighth year and is delivered by Emergency Services volunteers with generous backing from Origin Energy.

Regional SES Cadet Coordinator Garry Fajks told News Of The Area he was impressed with the professional manner in which the Cadets undertook the training.

“They have learnt about the importance of developing community resilience, the benefits of volunteering as well as developing some life skills along the way,” he said.

“The whole group did very well, they definitely enjoyed it and it is great to see them take an interest in the work of the Emergency Services.”

The young cadets came from all corners of the Myall Coast including Karuah, Stroud, Booral, Bulahdelah, Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest.

 

By Daniel SAHYOUN