With what seems to be an endless time of drought and fires across the northern part of the state, it would be easy to focus upon the negatives, yet the Northern Tablelands cadet team are a beacon of light in these trying times.

The cadets travelled to Sydney last week to compete against 23 other teams from across the country in the Australia Fire Cadet Championships.

The team represent a number of brigades across the Northern Tablelands including Delungra (Captain Shae Raw and Chelsea Raw), Gum Flat (Jarrod White), Glen Innes (Senior Deputy Captain Josh Wallbridge and Annaliese Gillet) and Steinbrook (David Cox).

This event is open to young people aged 12-16 from any agency-approved cadet or junior member. Teams are made up of six cadets with two adult leaders.

The Northern Tablelands Cadet Team is a group of dedicated volunteers who get together every month, some travelling up to two hours, to attend training sessions, drills and exercises, honing their skills in preparation for the event.

The competition put the cadets through their paces, testing skills in an assortment of scenarios from portable pump relays, hose and hydrant drills, and use of firefighting hand tools.

They also enjoyed a range none-fire related activities such as water slides, flying fox and archery. The participants were judged on speed, communication, teamwork, leadership and safety. The local team came out of the event with an impressive fifth place.

The cadets have grown into a remarkable group of young adults whose positive and can-do attitude was evident throughout the two days of competition.

One marshal commended the group on their excellent communication throughout the event, saying that is what provided them the basis for such a fast finish as they all knew exactly what was happening at all times.

Three of these members were competing for the first time. The skills developed as cadets extends well beyond firefighting.

Communication, comradely, teamwork and leadership as individuals and as a team was clearly on display, cooperatively working together and helping each other to achieve a common goal.

They are a credit to the Northern Tablelands Team, their trainers whom have worked with them over the last seven months preparing for the event, to their parents and to their respective brigades which have supported them throughout their journey.

Three of the team will no longer be eligible to compete in future events. Are you up to the challenge to take the team further? For more information head to www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.