Sacrifices of Past Generations Motivates Young Cadets

Published on 23 April 2026

The sacrifice of past generations was a driving consideration in Cadet, Corporal Anya Smit’s decision to join Ōamaru’s 26 Squadron Air Training Corps (ATC).

“It just means a lot ‘cause we wouldn’t be where we are if they (Australian and New Zealand soldiers in past wars) didn’t sacrifice their lives and their futures.

“They had big futures ahead of them, but they went [and] some of them didn’t come back. It’s just a lot of people take that for granted and I think they shouldn’t.”

She believes people need to keep Anzac Day commemorations to the forefront every year, so people don’t forget the lessons of war and to remember those people who gave their lives.

“Especially with the current wars going on,” she added. “You don’t know what’s going to happen next, so you really don’t want to take that for granted, so that we remember what happened because it could very well happen again.”

And this year Anya will again wear her great-grandad’s medals with pride as she does every Anzac Day.

Her great granddad was a Gallipoli veteran. That connection, her love of structure and the need for more confidence led her to the ATC as a fresh-faced 12-yer-old alongside her best friend Bonnie Davidson.

Now 15 she remains happy by her decision despite her dream of to join the army and train to be a dentist dashed by a celiac disease diagnosis. The army doesn’t allow that disease, she said.

However, she stresses the decision to join ATC was still more than worth it to gain confidence.

“It makes [people] so much more disciplined, and I encourage everyone to come along to ATC.

“It’s just so much fun”. Not to mention, the squadron is very community-focused and does a good amount of volunteer work, she said.

“You get to know so many new people. I’ve got loads of friends now, throughout the South Island.

“It really built my confidence, like you have to instruct other people that you have not met before and you don’t want to embarrass yourself, so you’ve got to be confident.”

And while the army will probably not become her career, she said she would still be involved with cadets later on. And nowhere are their presence felt quite as much to the general public as on Anzac Day.