Media Release

The Australian Defence Force Academy will hold its fourteenth and last graduation parade of the millennium on Thursday 9 December 1999.

Eleven hundred midshipmen and officer cadets will march before family and dignitaries to farewell the graduating class of 99.

Making the graduation parade a family affair, Francisco and Fernando Lay, identical twin brothers from the Northern Territory, will graduate together from the Academy.

"Both Fernando and I study engineering degrees, live in the same accommodation block, and are both members of the Air Force," Francisco said.

"We will return to the Academy next year to complete our fourth and final year of our degree, but after that we will probably request different postings and go our separate ways."

Commandant of the Academy, Commodore Brian Adams, RAN, said the 1999 Graduation Parade will end a year of significant change at the Academy.

"The widespread reforms were aimed at providing a safe and secure environment in which midshipmen and officer cadets could study.

"The Academy's commitment to change has been firm and resolute.

"It hasn't been an easy process, and there is more work to be done. Nevertheless, I'm very pleased with the way staff and cadets have taken on the challenge of reform in 1999 and I believe the results reward their efforts".

The Academy has had a significant year academically. Each year, the University of New South Wales awards an average of one or two of its coveted University medals per faculty to students who have performed consistently at an exceptional standard.

"This year six of the Academy's honours students over six different disciplines have been awarded the prestigious University Medal which is something the Academy is very proud of,"Commodore Adams said.

Commodore Adams commented that the prestigious military prizes will also be awarded at the Parade.

"This year the winners of the coveted Commander in Chief Medal, Chief of Defence Force Sword, The Chief of Services Prizes and the RSL Prize will be announced at the Parade. It's the first time that prize winners will not know about their awards until the announcements are made, so it should add excitement to the occasion."

The Governor General, Sir William Deane will review the Graduation Parade and Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral Barrie, RAN.

The Parade begins at 9.30am and finishes at 11.00am. An RAAF F111 and an F18 aircraft will honour the Graduating class with a fly-past at 10.15.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the Graduation Parade.

People travelling along Fairbairn Avenue and Northcott Drive in the suburb of Campbell on Thursday 9 December between 8.30 and 9.30am should allow extra time as congestion is expected along these roads.

Further information:

Heather Crosling
Public Affairs Officer
Tel: (02) 6268 8623
Mobile: 0409 476 920

Issued by the Defence Public Affairs Organisation, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT, 2600

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