TS Bundaberg Naval Reserve Cadet Leading Seaman Hanna Walshaw will end the year on a high after not only performing with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo but also after being named local cadet of the year.
Hanna was chosen to join 21 other naval cadets from across Australia to perform at the prestigious military performance and the largest Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo ever staged.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo featured more than 1500 of the world’s finest pipers, drummers, dancers, military musicians and performers, in the renowned Scottish spectacular that was brought to life set against the backdrop of a full-size replica of Edinburgh Castle.
Hanna, 15, said it was the first time she had taken part in such an amazing and official role with the naval cadets.
“It was amazing experience, I had a mix of nervousness and pride all together,” Hanna said.
“We (the other cadets) all came together as a family and I definitely have new friendships now.
“Bonding and coming together as a family when we stepped out on to the field was truly unbelievable.”
The 21 cadets performed alongside 320 pipers and drums, 100 highland dancers, 13 military bands with 865 military performers, 40 Scottish fiddlers, a 100-strong Australian Federation Guard in front of about 30,000 people.
The Year 9 Bundaberg State High student said joining TS Bundaberg as a cadet had opened a lot of doors for her and performing at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was one of life’s climaxes.
On Sunday morning Hanna was also named TS Bundaberg Naval Cadet of the Year at the end-of-year celebration.
Spectacular performance with only 11 weeks’ notice
TS Bundaberg Commanding Office Lieutenant Chris Moyle was the officer in charge of the naval cadets and said he worked closely with a drumming expert to ensure the performance was a highlight on everyone calendar.
“The Military Tattoo was in Australia six years ago in Melbourne,” Lieutenant Moyle said.
“Edinburgh Tattoo is done in Edinburgh for some time and to my knowledge Australia is the only other country it has gone to for performances.”
Lieutenant Moyle said it was 11 short weeks of practice before the 21 cadets, aged between 14 and 17 years, marched out on to the ANZ Stadium field.
“Normally that would be nine months in planning,” he said.
“The drumming expert as he said his farewells to the cadets went ‘you guys worked up in eight weeks what he would have worked out in a one-year program, as far training as far as the drumming sequences and things like that'.”
After working in national Australia Naval Cadet activities quite a bit, Lieutenant Moyle said it was nice to have his first opportunity of being officer in charge with a fellow Bundaberg cadet under his wing at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
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