Cadet Band Represent Shore at the Sydney Anzac Day March

As the new Cadet Year approached, the 2022-2023 Shore Wenona Cadet Band grew in anticipation of their last performance. It has been three years since the Unit’s last involvement in the Anzac Day parade, and even the Band’s six senior members had little idea what the day might look like. Yet sure enough, under the seasoned guidance of 2LT Robertson and Old Boy Xavier Margarian, the Band’s early morning preparation before the Anzac Day March went smoothly and calmly. Excitement and anticipation grew noticeably as the Band made their way to their 9.00am start on Victoria Street, where a crowd had already formed. Bagpipes quickly surrounded the waiting parties, and before long, the first bands began the parade.

Shore/Wenona made their first lap of the circuit as the fifth band, led by Drum Major CUO Gao and BSM CUO Cochrane. It was an unprecedented honour to be in the top ten bands of the day. The Band took note of the television crew and hundreds of thousands of Sydney-siders leaning against the railing to support Australian veterans and serving personnel alike, cheering on the Anzac spirit and conjoined under the Australian identity.

An even larger crowd greeted the Cadet Band on their second lap, receiving a special mention on ABC as a Band that ‘honours rich Anzac traditions and multiple generations of cadets’. Truly, the Shore Wenona Cadet Band’s involvement in the Anzac parade allowed the cadets to admire the generations of Cadets that have trained as part of the SCU and the thousands of soldiers who laid down their lives for this country. The Cadet Band performed exceptionally well on both marches, playing ‘Waltzing Matilda’ with great confidence and precision. The Band was able to appreciate the stage they were on and were proud to represent the SCU in support of an integral day for the nation. Shore and Wenona are grateful for this opportunity to recognise countless Anzacs who made the ultimate sacrifice so the nation could rejoice in its freedom. We hope to be back next year.       

Drum Major CUO Gao