The first Cadet Division formed in Australia was the Glebe Ambulance Cadet Division in Sydney on 9 December 1925. Eighteen boys between the ages of 12 and 17 years were the first members. George Goodrick was the Divisional Superintendent. It wasn’t until 1932 that a uniform for Ambulance Cadets was approved which they wore on duties such as football, beaches and picnic spots. The cadets were supervised and instructed by volunteers drawn from the adult staff of the Division.
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A few years later in 1928, the Blackheath Cadet Ambulance Division in the Blue Mountains followed Glebe’s lead. Campsie, much nearer to the City, formed the Nation’s first Cadet Nursing Division in 1928. Two more Cadet Nursing Divisions soon followed, at Waverley and Randwick. The Cadet movement grew rapidly so that, by 1932, there existed sixteen Cadet Divisions in New South Wales. Their total strength was 412 members. With high numbers and obvious enthusiasm came real achievement — in February 1933 Marion Higgins, from the Marrickville Cadet Nursing Division, was awarded the Grand Prior’s Badge. This was an international “first” as she thus became the first St John cadet anywhere in Britain or around the Commonwealth to receive this award.
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By Matthew Glozier, Hon. Archivist
All images from St John NSW Archives.
Both images and text drawn from the forthcoming St John NSW history book – The Premier Response. This book is now available for pre-sale orders.
