206 ACU North Sydney - A brief history
North Sydney Boys High School 1, on Falcon Street, Crows Nest, Sydney, was founded in 1914 or 1915 (the subject is under debate). In 1917, the North Sydney Boys Cadet Unit was raised, following enthusiasm after the Great War. By the 1940's, the school unit had reached a large potential, with over 300 students enrolled in the cadet program.
The North Sydney Boys Cadet Unit paraded with distinctive unit perks. The unit was granted permission to wear a bismarck-coloured beret, to match the school colours (bismarck, coral and gold); the beret was adorned with a unique falcon badge, adopted from the school falcon mascot. At its height, the Unit boasted several marching bands. Numerous high-ranking military officers attended North Sydney Boys as a student, and also as a cadet in the unit 2.
In 1975, the Cadet movement was disbanded by the Whitlam Government. However, the unpopular decision led to the reinstatement of Cadets in 1976. Soon afterwards, in the mid 1980's, the North Sydney Boys Cadet unit reformed as 206 Regional Cadet Unit, later to be renamed 206 Army Cadet Unit. 206 RCU/ACU was now no longer a school based unit, rather, a community one; cadets were recruited from the greater Sydney region. However, traditions were maintained, such as the wearing of distinctive unit embellishments, and parading in the North Sydney Boys High School grounds.
In 2004, 206 ACU relocated to its current-day location at the neighbouring Marist College North Shore 3, where it has continued its vision of preparing young people to become the leaders of tomorrow.
