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Kiwi Cadets Shine over Aussies
13 February 2007
NZ Army Lieutenant Sean McCulloch bet 147 future Australian military leaders to the Australian Defence Force Academy’s most prestigious award.
At the 2006 graduation parade at the Royal Military College (RMC) Duntroon, in Canberra, the Governor General of Australia, Major General Michael Jeffery, presented LT McCulloch with the Sword of Honour.
The Sword of Honour is awarded to the most outstanding graduate in the fields of military and academic achievement, and also recognises leadership skills, personal example and performance of duty.
It has been over 30 years ago since a NZ Army cadet was awarded the Sword of Honour. Colonel Brendon Fraher, the New Zealand Defence Force Change Manager, won the prestigious award in 1974. 
The graduation parade marked the conclusion of LT McCulloch’s four years of officer training: three years’ undergraduate study at the ADFA (part of the University of New South Wales), and a year of military training at RMC Duntroon. Each year two NZ Army cadets are selected to attend the ADFA.
LT McCulloch was also awarded the General Bridge’s Memorial prize for being placed first in tactics, and the Thales Australia Prize for being placed first in military skills and field leadership.
LT McCulloch played an important role in the ceremony. As the class’s senior cadet, he commanded the graduation parade, which comprised of cadets from Australia , New Zealand, the Philippines, Fiji, and Thailand.
LT McCulloch is the first New Zealand cadet since 1974 to hold the senior cadet appointment, and only the 12th New Zealander to hold the senior cadet appointment in the 95-year history of the college.
His fellow New Zealand cadet, LT Ellen Ford, held the position of platoon sergeant in Gallipoli Company during her time at RMC Duntroon. She received the Ronald Syme Trust Prize for gaining second place on the Queen’s Medal List and the New Zealand Peace and Administration prize for highest marks in peace and unit administration.
The two new officers have now returned to New Zealand. Both will be based in Linton Military Camp: LT McCulloch at 1st Battalion, RNZIR, and LT Ford at 2nd Engineer Regiment.
This page was last reviewed on 16 February 2007 and is current.
