Many local residents would be aware of the dedicated duties carried out by the TS Bundaberg Navy Cadets at the Bargara ANZAC Day Dawn Services and many other commemorative events across our region.
None of this would have been possible without the strong leadership of the unit’s officers and this is a fantastic story of the success of a local lass and her ability to rise through the ranks to reach a National Leadership level.
Commander Kerry Rayner ANC OAM, has been accepted as the New, National Commander Australian Navy Cadets, and will relieve the incumbent NCANC, Captain Eliot Fisher OAM, in December 2016.
The then Kerry Read, joined TS Bundaberg as a Cadet in the 1980’s and lived in Gin Gin and her father would drive her and a couple of other cadets in to Bundy to attend parades.
During her time there she was awarded the titles of “Annie Oakly” for her target shooting abilities and also “BP” , the quiet achiever.
She believes that her early training and leadership from the then Commanding Officer, CMDR Ian Lohse is what put her on the right path
She eventually left cadets to go to university in Rockhampton , to obtain her Dip Ed. She continues to work in the field of Education in Computer studies.
In 1999 she was enticed to review the operations of our local cadet Unit at TS Bundaberg and has been involved ever since
She rejoined the ANC as a Staff member in the rank of Petty Officer, where she rose through the ranks until she became LEUT and Commanding Officer, TS Bundaberg.
She remained CO for 14 years during which time the unit was twice awarded “Best in Australia”.
She also married and was promoted during this time, and became LCDR Kerry Rayner ANC.
Transferring to National Headquarters to allow younger staff to achieve, She became Director of Flotillas and Commander in 2013
When she is promoted in December, she will be the first female to become Captain in the ANC, and we are of the belief also, that she will be the first Cadet to progress through the ranks to become Captain.
Congratulations Kerry on a well-deserved appointment!