The College by the Harbour - St Aloysius

Cadet Report
‘jumped’ at this chance given to us by an Old Boy,
Captain Andrew George (SAC 1993). Regular military
personnel were also involved in the activity, including
a couple of members of the Australian and Canadian
Special Forces.
The five of us kitted up and were briefed by other
military personal. A short elevator trip took us nervous boys
to a wire walkway just under the road level of the bridge. As
trains rushed passed overhead the walkway moved from side
to side - which didn't do much for our confidence. Watching
others leap before us brimming with confidence and with
kind words of comfort from those around us we climbed over
the edge. It was a 110-metre abseil from there with an
occasional stop to admire the view. The activity ended with
a 10 metre free fall into Sydney Harbour. The feeling of cold,
seedy water on our adrenalin pumped faces convinced us we
were alive. But the challenge was not over. Struggling to
stay afloat, we paddled to shore and climbed out. After the
five of us reunited with Captain George (SAC 1993), we
said our goodbyes and departed back to the College, knowing
we had done something that most people will never have the
chance to experience.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Captain
George (SAC 1993) and the members of the Australian
Defence Force for giving us the opportunity to take part in
such a rare privilege. The memory and thrill of the day will
remain with us forever.
Tom Grace and Grant Donald abseiling off the Harbour
Bridge and plunging into the water
Jumping From the Harbour Bridge
The following contribution is from the four boys
that took up a recent opportunity to ‘jump’ from
the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
It began as an ordinary Cadet parade day, until when
around mid-day a group of Year 11 senior cadets were
approached with a offer for a once in a lifetime opportunity:
the opportunity to jump off the Sydney Harbour Bridge!
Obviously the five, James Boyers, Tom Grace, Luke
Marshall, Grant Donald and Alex Romans (all Year 11)
New Recruits
2002 has seen a record intake of new cadets into the
Unit. In excess of 100 boys have ‘signed up’. As you
would expect the majority of these are in Year 8,
however it has been pleasing to have a number of older
boys renew their association with the Cadet Unit. In
addition, a few new boys to the College have joined in
more senior years.
Our new recruits have all been ‘kitted out’ with their
uniforms and field equipment. This has been achieved
through two dedicated weekend issue days - one in
December and the other in February. There remain only
a few boys with a few items requiring issue. This is a
marvellous effort by our Quartermaster Staff and
Officers of Cadets, namely Lt Paul Tame, Captain David
Clancy (Past Parent) and Captain Anthony Chandler
(Past Parent) – with able assistance from a band of
dedicated senior cadets.
This bulk approach to kitting out the new cadets has
produced enormous benefit by freeing up our valuable
Friday Parade times for lessons on the various skills and
knowledge needed prior to deployment into the field on
Annual Camp. It is vital that our younger members gain
an insight into what is expected of them in the field prior
to the Units deployment on Camp.
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