July 7, 2014
Sale nineteen-year-old Brendan Mason has been chosen as one of 32 Air Force Cadets from around Australia to participate in this year’s International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) Program.
Brendan will travel to France for 17 days, leaving on July 21. It will be the first year France has participated in the exchange program.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, who is also Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, congratulated Brendan on his selection.
“Brendan has been a cadet at Number 409 Squadron – East Sale for almost seven years, having joined as a 13 year old,” Mr Chester said.
“He has previously attended an IACE exchange to Canada so his knowledge of the IACE program, together with his maturity and strong leadership skills, will hold him in good stead as he heads overseas again.
“It is great for the future of our region to have young people like Brendan involved in this kind of experience and given the opportunity to further develop so they contribute to our region, and the nation, into the future.”
Mr Chester said the cadets program was known for developing leadership, self reliance, confidence, teamwork and communication among youth.
Brendan encouraged other young Gippslanders to consider joining the program.
“I have been a part of the cadets for almost seven years and my brother Paul was also a cadet for seven years before he joined the navy,” Brendan said.
“It’s a great program and I have learnt a lot of important skills like leadership, management and self-confidence and it gives you opportunities that you wouldn’t get in most other programs – things like flying training and overseas travel.”
Brendan said he was most looking forward to meeting new people.
“Meeting people, that’s the best of part of it,” he said. “The exchange program brings togethers cadets from all around the world and we will travel together as a group, so it is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn from each other.
“I still keep in contact with many of the friends I made when I travelled to Canada previously through the IACE program and I look forward to the opportunity to make many new friends in the month ahead.”
Brendan attended Catholic College Sale and is the son of Cathy and the late Ken Mason, who was a long-serving Sale policeman. Brendan is currently assistance manager at the Sale Telstra store and is in his last year of the cadet program at East Sale.
CAPTION: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester congratulates Sale Air Force cadet Brendan Mason on his selection for the International Air Cadet Exchange Program. Brendan will leave on July 21.
