{"id":44002,"date":"2026-02-27T13:10:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T02:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mlc\/?post_type=article&p=44002"},"modified":"2026-02-27T13:10:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T02:10:51","slug":"from-the-principal-255","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mlc\/article\/from-the-principal-255\/","title":{"rendered":"From the Principal"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"This week we marked a very significant moment in the School\u2019s history; the Establishment Parade to celebrate the foundation of the MLC School Army Cadet Unit (MLCSACU), one of only three, and the largest, all girl unit in Australia. Under the command of the Senior Under Officer (SUO) Olivia Ebel <\/strong>(Year 12), and with support from Unit Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Evelyn Kerr<\/strong> (Year 12), our Cadets displayed discipline, respect, and adaptability throughout the service despite having to completely rework the parade because of the wet conditions.<\/p>\n

We were honoured by the presence of Brigadier Georgiena Whelan<\/a> as Reviewing Officer, Chair of the MLC School Council Kylie Bryden-Smith,<\/strong> Colonel His Honour Judge Doug Humphrey, and many members of our broader School community.<\/p>\n

The MLC School Army Cadet program began in 2019 with our inaugural cohort of 53 Cadets. With the advice and support of the Executive leadership team at Newington College, who welcomed us into their cadet program and shared their knowledge and experience, we have now developed the expertise and training necessary to form our own unit. From those original 53 students, the Unit has grown in strength, confidence and reputation, as well as size, with the Unit now over 160 Cadets strong.<\/p>\n

As part of the Parade. we acknowledged those pioneering\u00a0Cadets whose vision and courage helped\u00a0establish\u00a0the strong foundations upon which the Unit now stands. We welcomed back a number of these Old Girl Cadets including Jacqueline Flett<\/strong> (2023) the inaugural Regimental Sergeant Major of the combined MLC School and Newington College Army Cadet Unit.<\/p>\n

The MLC School staff who had the foresight and vision to pursue the cadet program are owed our gratitude, including Frances Booth, Blake Fatouros<\/strong> and most notably Captain Xavier Maling<\/strong> who has led the Cadet Unit from inception, growing and evolving the program with passion and purpose.<\/p>\n

The SUO\u2019s Sword and RSM\u2019s Pace Stick were presented during the Parade to MLC School and the MLC School Army Cadet Unit by the Burwood RSL Sub-branch, in recognition of a deep and ongoing relationship with the School and the Cadet Unit. We are very thankful for the ongoing advice and practical support offered by them.<\/p>\n

The Ceremonial Sword dates from the period 1885 to 1890. It is a Queen Victoria Infantry Sword which was originally made for an Army Chaplain. From this day forward, the Sword will be carried by the SUO of the MLC School Army Cadet Unit at every Ceremonial Parade and\u00a0Service.<\/p>\n

The Pace Stick was specially commissioned and bears a plaque dated 27 January 2026<\/strong> to mark today\u2019s Parade, the raising of the MLC School Army Cadet Unit and MLC School\u2019s 140th Anniversary Year.<\/p>\n

To witness our cadets standing proudly beneath their own flag for the first time, wearing the new MLCSACU badge, was a very special moment for us all and a powerful symbol of the School\u2019s rich history of providing young women with the opportunity to \u2018Dare to be More.\u2019 <\/em>It is most fitting that this event occurred in our 140th year.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> for the livestream recording.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Lisa Moloney<\/em><\/strong>
\nPrincipal<\/p>\n