By TANIA PHILLIPS
THREE Woodenbong Central School students have been chosen to take part in the Australian Defence Force Gap Year Pathway over the past three years.
IN 2014, a rigorous Australian Defence Force selection process saw HSC graduates from across Australia choose an ADF GAP Year Pathway.
Of the 4000 plus applicants, 260 were chosen to participate in the 2015 Gap Year program, two were from Woodenbong Central School, Peter Rex and Hannah Geyer, and one, from St Mary’s High School, Casino, Elaina Elder-Robinson.
Peter, Hannah and Elaina joined 60 of those recruits who were allocated to the RAAF, for “Airbase Security” roles.
Of the 60 initial RAAF recruits, 54 completed the 12 weeks of basic training at 1 RTU Wagga Wagga who then moved to RAAF Base Amberley, where they then joined the Fire and Safety School for a further 12-week period of training.
On completion, they were deployed to a choice of five airbases across Australia, with Peter and Elaina remaining at RAAF Base Amberley, and Hannah, being deployed to RAAF Base Townsville.
The Gap year is structured in such a way that participants can either apply to join the ADF on a permanent basis, or as Reserves, once the 12-month programme is completed. Peter and Hannah have applied successfully to re-join.
They will be re-mustered into the RAAF’s Military Working Dogs Unit at Amberley, and on completion, they will be deployed to a base. Elaina has opted to further her studies, and will be attending the University Of Queensland in 2016, studying Nutrition. She will maintain her connection with the RAAF, as an Active Reserve.
But the story does not finish there: 2015 Woodenbong Central School graduate, Luke Weston, has been successful in his application to join the 2016 ADF GAP Year program, as an Army Rifleman.
He is one of 250 successful applicants for the army GAP. Luke will be based at Kapooka.
