Secure Storage For Navy Cadets

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After a series of break-ins and theft, the Navy Cadets of ‘Training Ship Walrus’ decided to move their most valuable equipment into a safe and sturdy shipping container from Gateway Container Sales & Hire.

Training Ship Walrus is a not for profit, volunteer run operation based in Eagleby and hosts enthusiastic children and young adults (aged 12-20) as Navy Cadets to learn essential skills such as:

Discipline
Teamwork
Leadership
Trust
Navy language and terminology
Sailing
Canoeing
Driving power boats
Receiving boating licenses
Shooting 22 Rifles
F88 Steyr shooting simulation

The Cadets come together on Friday nights and practice their skills, now also including the Drill Team and drumming thanks to developing relationships with the Army Cadets (and Training Ship Walrus receiving funding to purchase their own drums!).

Secure Storage & Theft Prevention

The 20ft Shipping Container provided by Gateway currently sits in front of the fence where a previous break-in attempt was made. The wire fencing had been cut through and in the past, powerboats and other maintenance machinery had been taken from the property.

LEUT Tracey Hagan was very pleased to see that the shipping container had a lock box for extra security and makes for an extremely robust, cost effective fence on the property: “good luck to them trying to cut through a shipping container!”

Currently, the secure container houses the powerboats used by the Navy Cadets. LEUT Hagan hopes to add another container to the property to ensure that ALL of the cadets equipment can be securely stored when they are not on premises.

More Than A Uniform

“Putting on the uniform instills pride and a sense of those that came before. A strong sense of teamwork” says P.O Darren Crossingham. LEUT Hagan agrees “of all the cadets that come through, about 5% convert to service, but more importantly, another 80% are successful in a fulfilling career in their community.” This is demonstrated by the numerous cadets who return to Training Ship Walrus as volunteers, such as Rohan (21, currently working for Energex): “I returned as a volunteer to pass on knowledge to the juniors like I received from my seniors. The best advice I can give to Navy Cadets, including those considering joining, is to take on ALL the advice from the senior cadets. Also, duck when the boom swings around on the sailboats!”

When speaking with some of the cadets, their reasons for joining may vary:

“I want to join the Navy when I get older”
“I enjoy learning new and different skills”
“I do drumcall, I’m learning how to play”
“I wanted to meet new people”
“At first I wanted to join the Navy, now it’s about being part of the group and being committed”
“I want an advantage to study engineering & navigation. Being a girl it feels like you belong, like a family.”

The resounding agreement though is “the more you put in, the more you get out of it”.

For the volunteers (7 in uniform and 5 community volunteers), the most rewarding part of the job is watching the young adults develop. “One of the best things is watching them grow, I have seen the confidence grow in every single cadet and I am always proud to hear what they doing after they leave” says P.O Crossingham.

Get Involved!

The Navy Cadets is a great way for young adults to learn essential life skills, but it can’t be done without the help of the community! Membership for new cadets is only $10 for Friday nights (3 hrs) and $25 for a weekend. As LEUT Hagan states, “It’s the cheapest babysitting around!”. As a not for profit and volunteer run organisation, Training Ship Walrus are constantly looking for the most effective ways to source funding for the vital updates required on the property such as Fire Doors for the new dorms. Currently the Navy Cadets (or Army/Airforce Cadets) do not fit into the guidelines to be able to apply for Government Funding, so creative initiatives and community generosity are essential for keeping Training Ship Walrus afloat.

Gateway Containers was happy to provide the secure storage container required at minimum cost to assist this valuable organisation in the community. Gateway Containers have also pledged to upgrade the 20ft Container to a 40ft when the Gateway Facebook page reaches 750, so be sure to show your support and “Like” Gateway too!

For more information on the Navy Cadets and Training Ship Walrus, you can contact:

LEUT. Tracey Hagan – tracey.hagan@defence.gov.au