On top … Vice Admiral Russ Shalders presents the Navy League’s efficiency trophy to TS Voyager’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Lisa Foley.
By Catalina Florez
WILLIAMSTOWN’S naval cadets are the best in Australia, according to the Navy League of Australia.
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Shalders presented cadets from the Training Ship Voyager with a trophy recognising their unit as the country’s most efficient. The Williamstown unit was up against 92 others throughout Australia for the trophy, after initially winning the state award for most efficient unit in Victoria. TS Voyager’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Lisa Foley, said the award capped years of hard work for the cadets.
“I was very excited and immensely proud of my unit and the cadets can’t believe they’ve made history,” Lt Foley said.
It was the first time TS Voyager had picked up the national award.
“To be honest, I wasn’t that confident that we would beat the rest of Australia but I don’t think the cadets doubted it for a second.”
At the presentation, the cadets showed off their winning qualities by performing a drill display with support from the Melbourne Navy Band’s drummers. They finished by forming a human V shape for Voyager and when the last drum beat sounded, the cadets threw their caps in the air and screamed out “Voyager”.
The Australian Navy Cadets is a voluntary youth organisation for people aged 12 to 19 and is sponsored by the Royal Australian Navy.
