Navy Cadets

For twelve-year-old battleship hobbyist, Graham Kirk, opportunities like this don't come along every day. He jumps at the chance to fulfill his dream of becoming a sailor like his father and enlists as a navy cadet. But he has discovered girls and is torn between doing what's right and doing what's forbidden. When at a party, Graham overhears a terrorist plot to sink a US navy destroyer as it sails into Cairns harbour. But who should he tell when his superiors don't trust him? And what role does his new girlfriend, Thelma, have to play? Is she just an innocent anti-war protestor, or has his desire for her blinded him to the awful truth? His initiation into the navy cadets comes with some unexpected-and dangerous-complications… and Graham quickly learns that there's no substitute for self-respect and being true to yourself.

It is the 'Wet Season' in North Queensland. Thirteen year-old navy cadet Andrew Collins and his sister Carmen are in Townsville for the school holidays, staying with their Aunt and Uncle. Walking across the bridge spanning the Ross River, the two siblings rush to the rescue of another boy, Martin, saving him from a beating from three older bullies. From that moment on, Andrew is plunged into the first great adventure of his life, taking him from one end of Ross River to the other by canoe, bicycle and foot, which brings him to the extremes of both his courage and his physical ability. He also meets Letitia, a girl quite outside his very limited experience, whose allure will tempt him both morally and emotionally.