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Darren Chester congratulates Gippsland Trainees on East Sale RAAF Graduation success for excellence, resilience and leadership

Former Traralgon College student Sarah Bryan earned two top honours at East Sale RAAF Base for military skills and resilience, while Flight Officer Cautela received the prestigious Allan Pappin Leadership Award.

By news@gippsland - 10th April 2025 - Back to News

Former Traralgon College student Sarah Bryan has won two major trainee awards at the Officers' Training School graduation parade at East Sale RAAF Base. The 17-year-old received 'The Military Skills Award' and 'The Through Adversity to the Stars Award' at the graduation ceremony of Initial Officer Course 01/2025.

Pilot Officer Sarah Bryan from Traralgon and Gippsland MP Darren Chester at the graduation parade for Initial Officer Course 01/2025

Chester congratulates Bryan

Federal Member for Gippsland and former Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester congratulated Pilot Officer Bryan on her outstanding achievement. "It's extraordinary for anyone to win two awards for excellence in a defence course training course against high-quality candidates, and Sarah should be proud of her achievements," Mr Chester said.

"The awards recognise the trainee who has demonstrated exceptional dedication in the pursuit of excellence, and the trainee who demonstrated outstanding performance in physical fitness, ground defence, drill and ceremonial activities. It's always exciting to see a young Gippslander achieving their full potential, and I look forward to following Sarah's career in the Australian Defence Force," he said.

Thursday's graduation parade also doubled as a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Officers' Training School, which started at Lake Macquarie and has been based at East Sale RAAF Base since 2007.

Darren Chester, Flight Officer Olivia Cautela and retired Air Commodore Allan Pappin at the Initial Officer Course 01/2025 graduation ceremony at East Sale RAAF Base

Leadership award honour

Flight Officer Olivia Cautela was honoured to win the 'Allan Pappin Leadership Award' which is presented to the trainee who displayed outstanding leadership and personal qualities that positively influenced other course members.

Allan Pappin was a former Commanding Officer at East Sale RAAF Base and is now retired in East Gippsland but remains heavily involved in supporting veterans through the Bairnsdale RSL.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com