Salute to army recruit

By Dion Teasdale
A FORMER Healesville resident is making a name for himself in the Australian Defence Forces.
Cameron Taite, 21, who was born and raised in Healesville, was named as the Australian Army’s most outstanding recruit earlier this month.
Cameron, who joined the army in February this year, graduated from initial army training on Sunday, 14 May at the Army Training Centre in Kapooka, near Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.
His parents, Richard and Marjory Taite, who have eight children (Cameron is their second youngest), travelled to Kapooka for the graduation ceremony.
“The whole family is very proud of Cameron and as his parents we were wrapped to see him graduate and receive the trophy for being the most outstanding recruit,” Mr Taite said.
“Joining the army has given Cameron a great opportunity to train and learn new skills and he’s hoping to build a career in the army.”
Mr Taite said his son, who attended Healesville Primary School and Secondary School and was a member of local cricket and basketball clubs, thoroughly enjoyed his 45 days of training.
“Despite the cuts, bruises and blisters, and the 16-hour days, Cameron thrived on the physical and mental challenges the training offered,” he said.
Mr Taite said Cameron has now embarked on the Advanced Army Training course at Kapooka, after which he will be posted at an Australian Army base.