Scotch College

Stunning Tattoo and Retreat

A crowd of thousands gathered around the Main Oval on a beautiful spring night to watch the Scotch College Cadet Unit parade at its best. The school was honored by the distinguished presence of Lieutenant-General Peter J Cosgrove, AC, MC, Chief of Army, Australia, as the Reviewing Officer for the Unit's 13th Tattoo as part of the school's sesquicentennial year.

The Unit was privileged also to carry the banner of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, for the second time in the Unit's history. The parade format was altered for the parading of the Banner and was therefore slightly different from that of previous tattoos.

After months of rehearsals and thorough logistical preparation, the Tattoo was the result of enormous self-discipline and teamwork on behalf of all Cadets and Officers.

Highlights of the first half of the Tattoo included the Military and Pipe Bands displays, the massed Drum Salute, the Junior School Drum Corps and Sentries march on, the Unit march on and the posting of the Banner Party. After the arrival of the official dais party that included the Commanding Officer, Principal and Reviewing Officer, the Unit was inspected.

The Unit then marched past and advanced fifteen paces in review order. Of all the movements involving the entire Unit, this is one of the most difficult to perfect, and is performed for the Reviewing Officer as a demonstration of skill and expertise. Lieutenant-General Cosgrove was thoroughly impressed by the quality of skill demonstrated. He then presented a number of awards.

Lieutenant-General Cosgrove expressed during his address the importance of schools like Scotch College in society, 'the great schools of Australia are a beacon, they are institution, a rallying point, a focal point for ideas and values'.

He commented on the high regard which the Australian Army had for our cadet unit, saying 'the Army is extraordinarily proud of this unit' and thanks all on parade and those behind the scene, parents, school staff and the team of Officers of Cadets for a truly breathtaking performance. I am very proud to have seen you tonight and to those in uniform with rifles, to those with instruments and those behind the parade, can I say, Well done.'

Following the departure of the dais party, the highlights were the unit march off and the Retreat Ceremony. A spectacular fireworks display appropriately concluded the Tattoo.

Major (AAC) Norman Bain as Parade Director and the team of Officers of Cadets deserve much credit for the success of the Tattoo. Most importantly, the cadets of the unit, in particular the Yr 9 recruits and Guard, deserve congratulation for their perseverance and self-discipline throughout the preparation phase and on the night. The Tattoo provided a fitting conclusion to the public events of the 150th calendar.

A Chief of Army plaque, engraved to mark the occasion, was sent to the Unit a few days later. The accompanying letter from Lieutenant-General Cosgrove to the commanding officer said, 'I trust that the plaque will be displayed in a place of significance for all cadets, allowing it to draw the attention of future Scotch College Cadet Unit members to the success of the 150th Anniversary Tattoo'.

PA Glover, Lieutenant-Colonel (AAC) Commanding Officer