Strength in Service: Leadership Through Cadets
As Mentone Grammar celebrates 20 years of coeducation, our Cadets program stands as a powerful example of the opportunities that have shaped students across the School.
Established in 1943, Mentone Grammar’s Army Cadet Unit (MGACU) is now one of the largest school-based Cadet units in Victoria, forming part of the Australian Army Cadets (AAC), the nation’s largest youth development program. Grounded in the core values of courage, initiative and teamwork, the program places leadership at its heart.
For students, Cadets offers far more than simply time in camouflage uniform, extending learning well beyond the usual classroom routine. It provides practical, hands‑on experiences that challenge students to step outside their comfort zones, think critically, and work collaboratively. Through fieldcraft, first aid, navigation, and leadership training, students build confidence, resilience, and strong personal values.
For the past 20 years, the program has been embedded within Mentone Grammar’s coeducational experience. All Year 9 students join the Cadets for one year, then have the option to continue in Years 10 – 12 to further develop their skills. Those who remain in the program progress into leadership roles, taking responsibility for planning activities, mentoring younger Cadets, and ultimately guiding the next generation to ensure the program’s legacy continues to grow.
For Mentonian Meghan Witherow (Class of 2014), Cadets proved to be the starting point for a successful career journey. After graduating from Mentone Grammar, she served five years as a Command Support Clerk in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) before moving into her current role as Events & Programs Manager at the Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria (AGSV). She continues to serve as an ADF reservist, maintaining strong ties to the ADF.
Her interest in the ADF was sparked during the School’s annual Cadet camp at Puckapunyal, where multi-day activities developed leadership, teamwork, resilience, and fieldcraft. “Seeing other Cadets and trainees in action reminded me of where I had come from and inspired me to commit to Defence,” she says. “Having already done basic, drill, navigation and fieldcraft in Cadets made the first few weeks of the ADF Basic Training significantly easier. Almost all the other members of my platoon were learning this for the first time, while I got to refresh my skills.”
Meghan also fondly remembers the social side of Cadets, which fostered lasting friendships and creative teamwork. “The Annual Song Competition was always the Unit’s morale highlight, turning the usually structured military training into a fun and often hilarious rivalry between platoons.” A standout moment in Cadets came in 2012, when an unexpected storm required the evacuation of more than 300 people. “The way it was handled showed me that with proper planning and calm execution, almost anything is possible, an attitude I carry into my events management role, where I now organise and oversee all major swimming, athletics and cross country carnivals for participating AGSV schools.”
Meghan’s journey highlights how the Cadet program not only equips students with practical skills, but also cultivates leadership, resilience, and confidence – qualities that continue to shape the lives of Mentone Grammar alumni.
Quartermaster and Commanding Officer Cameron Wilson, who also teaches Humanities at Mentone Grammar, joined the School’s Cadet program after his own experience as a Cadet in the Air Training Corps in New Zealand. He treasured the opportunities it gave him and was keen to help students benefit from the program in the same way.
Cameron understands how the Cadet program often pushes students beyond their comfort zones while helping them build confidence, character, and a strong sense of belonging. He believes it supports students in developing self-assurance by learning to overcome challenges and adapt to unfamiliar environments.
He explains that the Cadet program is primarily led by the senior Mentone Grammar Cadets. “Our students develop and deliver lessons, teach new skills, and guide the Year 9s throughout their time in the Cadet program. While School staff supervise from the background, it’s the students who drive the program and inspire each new cohort to get involved. By the time they reach Year 12, Cadets are leading groups of Years 9 – 11 students on four-day bush training camps.” Cameron believes this experience equips students with valuable skills for life beyond school.
He reflects on how Cadets have put their skills of discipline and resilience into practice during ANZAC Day services, supporting local RSLs by providing catafalque parties over many years. “One particularly hot year, a team of four Cadets, led by our unit’s Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), maintained perfect precision throughout the forty-minute service. At the conclusion, the veterans took a moment to acknowledge their efforts, and the students’ faces lit up with pride. It was their dedication to performing their role to the highest standard that made the experience so rewarding,” he said.
Another Mentonian and former Cadet, Riley Friso (Class of 2019), is now a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps. He credits the School’s Cadet program with broadening his horizons and introducing him to a world of professionalism and career possibilities.
Among his many fond memories of the program, Riley particularly enjoyed the navigation exercises at Puckapunyal. Looking back on his time in Cadets, he believes that starting at a young age helped him learn not only when to step forward as a leader, but how to lead effectively to achieve the strongest outcomes.
He feels that the Cadet program also gave him exposure to positive role models within Mentone Grammar, which helped him develop and identify what “right” looks like in a leader. His experience ultimately guided his decision to join the ADF.
“The mix of practical application in conjunction with learning theory proved a unique blend that really resonated with me. But above all that, the types of relationships I built in Cadets will last forever, and similarly, the mateship I have experienced within the Army will stay with me forever,” says Riley.
Riley believes the navigation, discipline and leadership skills he developed through Cadets have directly supported his military career, and he credits Mentone Grammar’s values as foundational to his success. His advice to students considering the ADF is simple – “Honestly, just give it a go. Irrespective of what you’re applying for in the ADF, just give it a go.”
Stories like Meghan’s and Riley’s showcase how the Cadet program has been a vital part of Mentone Grammar’s coeducational journey, shaping confident, capable, and values‑driven leaders. Whether students pursue careers in the Australian Defence Force or apply their skills across other fields, the impact of the program is enduring.
From the parade ground to Puckapunyal and ANZAC Day services, the Mentone Grammar Army Cadet Unit is more than a program – it is a formative experience that builds character, courage, and leadership for life.
Written by Caroline Kinnear