The biggest squadron in the Australian Air League (AAL) is preparing to soar on its most exciting adventure yet.
Riverwood Squadron, a team of young cadets, was invited to participate in a memorial parade in Hawaii on December 7.
It is the first time they will head to the islands for the ceremony, for the 78th anniversary.
Cadets will also take part in a three-day education program at the Pacific Aviation Museum in Pearl Harbour. There they will learn more about aviation, leadership, team work collaboration, history and aircraft recovery and will sleep two nights on the battleship USS Missouri.
The bombing of Pearl Harbour not only brought the US into war, it also meant Australia was fighting on two theatres of war - Europe and the Pacific.
The squadron itself has a rich history that tells a story of determination, in the aim of showing youth what exciting wonders lie in the sky.
The founder of the AAL was George Robey, a decorated hero of World War I. He was rewarded with the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery at the landings on Gallipoli on in 1915, and went on to fight in Europe and the Western Front.
After the war, his son Keith wanted to learn about aviation, but here was nothing available at that time. So George and his army crew formed the AAL in 1934, so they could teach the youth about aviation.
The first squadron opened in Manly and the AAL quickly grew across NSW and Victoria. It supplied many young aviators to the Royal Australia Air Force in World War II.
Riverwood Squadron opened in 1957, and was initially called Herne Bay Squadron, as that was the name of the suburb at that time. When the suburb name changed from Herne Bay to Riverwood in 1958, so to the squadron adopted the new title.
Squadron membership grew and there has been a constant interest in aviation from youth in the area since. Across the years, the squadron forged close connections with other community groups including Riverwood Rotary Club and Riverwood Sub Branch of the Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen & Women, based at Club Rivers.
Riverwood Squadron operates from its own hall, situated at Bonds Road. It is the last remaining structure in the area from what was part of the large military complex built during World War II for the US Army 118th field hospital. All other buildings, about 490 buildings of them, were demolished or relocated. The squadron has restored the building, maintaining connections to its military history.
In recent times, the squadron has enjoyed steady growth in the past decade from 24 members to now more than 100 members. They make appearances at community events including Lugarno Lions Spring Fair, ANZAC parades, among others.
Many high achievers have been born from the squadron, including second in charge Robert Devitt, who received this year's Canterbury Bankstown Council Citizen of the Year award. Cadets have also previously won awards for Young Citizen of the Year for serving the community.
The squadron competed in the 2013 World Association of Marching Show Bands competition in Japan, returning with bronze medals, and again at the 2015 world championships in Denmark.
They hope to secure some financial backing from the community to help get them there, as they represent Australia.
There is a fundraiser at Club Rivers tonight, a barbecue at Bunnings Kirrawee on September 28 and a trivia night on October 12.
It also welcomes new members. The squadron offers aviation training, navigation, aircraft construction, leadership development, discipline and teamwork collaboration, public speaking, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, music, marching bands, aircraft model making, aircraft simulators and training to fly powered aircraft and gliders.
Details: Email riverwoodhornets@hotmail.com or call Chris Bailey 0414467987.
