SENIOR SCHOOL
Cadets
Cadet Formal Dinner 2017 –
a longstanding tradition
of army officers, especially in Scottish
regiments, to the Crown. Other toasts
included the Australian Army Cadets,
Guildford Grammar School Cadet Unit and
Absent Friends, in honour of those that
have given their lives in military service.
As the end of the academic year
approaches, many sporting codes and
Houses hold dinners to celebrate the events
of the year and the contributions that
individuals have made – so what sets the
Cadet Formal dinner apart from the rest?
Mess Dinners (also known as dining-in
nights) are a long-standing military tradition
that have their origin in the British Army
well over two hundred years ago. The
intention was to introduce junior officers
to the history and traditions of their
regiment, to build respect for authority and
the military hierarchy and to foster strong
relationships between members of the
mess. The tradition spread throughout the
Commonwealth and similar events are held
in the US, Canada, New Zealand, as well as
in Australia.
The routines are well established – the
Dining President (at Guildford Grammar
School this is the senior Year 12 Cadet)
oversees proceedings, whilst The Dining
Vice-President (“Mr Vice”, a Year 11
Junior NCO) makes all the announcements
and introduces speeches and toasts. The
Loyal Toast (to the reigning monarch) was
introduced in 1745 in the aftermath of
the Jacobite Rebellion to ensure the loyalty
The guest of honour at this year’s dinner
was LT COL (AAC) Trevor Matthews,
Assistant Commander of the WA Australian
Army Cadet Brigade. Also present were
LT COL Craig Madden (father of CDTSGT
Madden) and MAJ Joanne Briggs.
LT COL (AAC) Matthews had not visited
the School previously, and was highly
impressed by the buildings and campus,
as well as by the meal and service provided
by Mr Steve Dixon and his team.
LT COL (AAC) Matthews gave the toast to
Absent Friends in honour of CAPT (AAC)
Peter De Masson, an AAC officer and
Vietnam Veteran who had passed away
during the fortnight preceding the dinner
after a lifetime of service to the ADF and
AAC.
The Dining President, CDTSGT Caden
Alexander provided a review of the
year’s activities, illustrated by a slideshow
of photos during the dinner, and the
Headmaster and the Officer Commanding,
CAPT (AAC) Martin Dell, both addressed
the mess. The officers of the Unit, invited
guests, cadets and their parents enjoyed a
sociable and entertaining evening, whilst
maintaining traditions that were first
established hundreds of years ago.
CAPT (AAC) Martin Dell
20