Newest officers parade

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 417, 17 December 1991, Page 5

Newest officers parade

by

JO

howie

Twenty-seven army officer cadets graduated as officers into their respective armies, last Wednesday, with Her Excellency the Governor General Dame Catherine Tizzard in attendance. This was the conclusion to the very demanding 12-month course at the Officer Cadet School (OCS) of New Zealand. It was the last class to graduate under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Martyn Dunne. Lt Col Warren Whiting will replace him. Lt Col Dunne said he had found the appointment interesting, challenging and very rewarding to see the young officers graduate. He said he aspires to train young officers ready to command in the army. He said the military training concepts are of honour, duty, responsibility and commitment. "Graduates are only as good as the staff, it's a team effort. I'm proud of my staff and of my graduates." Lt Col Dunne said it was gratifying to be a part of the presentation of the Queens Colours at OCS. Amongst those who graduated were 17 New Zealanders, four Australians, one Malaysian,

and three from Papua New Guinea. No females graduated in this class. OCS hosted friends and family members of the graduates over 10 and 1 1 December to celebrate graduation. On 10 December activities included a church service, a Beating of Retreat Ceremony and a cocktail party. On 11 December the Graduation Parade started at 1.30pm, followed by prize giving and aftemoon tea. The Ball was held that night. The Governor General and Commander in Chief, Her Excellency Dame Catherine Tizzard, GCMG, DBE, was the Reviewing Officer for the parade. She was received on parade with the traditional Maori challenge. At the conclusion of the parade she addressed the graduates, saying the Armed Forces continue to have a critical role to play at home and overseas. She congratulated the graduates on their new commission. The VIP's who attended the parade were; Major General Bruce Meldrum, CB, OBE and Mrs Meldrum, Brigadier and Mrs E B Bestic, Commander Land Force Command, Colonel and Mrs Fisher, OBE, Colonel and Mrs Sinclair, and representatives from the Aus-

tralian High Commission, the Malaysian High Commission and from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Major Prize winners were: Sword of Honour for having the greatest potential as an Army Officer, Officer Cadet Company Sergeant Major D J Smith NZCOC. The Governor General's Medal for gaining the highest aggregate marks in all subjects; The CGS's Prize for leadership and Comd ATG Prize for Communication Skills: Officer Cadet Sergeant J S Emerson NZCOC. DSIP Mutual Assistance Programme Prize: Officer Cadet D Ala NZCOC. Autralian CGS's Prize for Tactics: Officer Cadet S W Anderson NZCOC. Commandant OCS (NZ) Prize: Officer Cadet Sergeant

D H Jones NZCOC. Sergeant Major's Prize for Best Battlecraft Student: Officer Cadet Sergeant C W Dalgleish NZCOC. That night distinguished and official guests, friends and family of the Officer Cadets concluded two days of celebrations with the graduation Ball held in the Corps of Officer Cadet Mess. At 11:40pm the graduates were introduced and at midnight the commissioning ceremony proceeded. Guests of each graduate pinned on their pips to signify their new rank of Second Lieutenant.