Thanks to Rick MacDonald for stopping into the studio while visiting Victoria. Rick is originally from RCSCC Qu’Appelle in Winnipeg, he spent six weeks at Esquimalt Sea Cadet Camp in 1974 before attending the Quadra School of Music in 1975. Rick later experienced camp life in Whitehorse for a few years. Once he turned 19, he did enroll in the CIC through the home Corps where he met his wife JoAnn. I got a chance to chat about sports, hobbies and work life with Rick. I think you’ll enjoy hearing ...
Jul 20, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Commander Pamela Audley served as Commanding Officer at Quadra from 2005-2008. As we celebrate 50 years of women at HMCS Quadra it seems appropriate to share this episode with all Alumni. She was the first and still is the only female to serve as XO and CO at the camp. It was a real honour to interview her and learn so much about her past Cadet career and life. Pam talks about some of her mentors, many of her favourite memories about some Quadra antics! She was also the first female CIC Officer ...
Jun 01, 2025•46 min•Season 4Ep. 4
On this episode, I chat with four women who all joined the Cadet Organization in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. Female Sea Cadets started in 1975 at HMCS Quadra, a world that for many years was males only. You’ll hear from 4 guests: Karen Coles , (née Rutherford) RCSCC Falkland, Ottawa ON Practical Leadership 1980 – Top Cadet Yvette Myers RCSCC Alberni, Port Alberni BC Boatswain 1979 Chantal Webb , (née Lohr) RCSCC Crusader, Winnipeg MB Boatswain 1982 – Top Cadet Jennifer Tennier , (née Robert...
Apr 07, 2025•38 min•Season 4Ep. 3
In episode 2, season 4 of the Quadra Alumni Podcast we talk to a dedicated couple that has been involved in training Sea Cadets for much of the past 50 years. Darrell and Sandy Dudley join me for a discussion about their Sea Cadet and Officer careers and most importantly their time at HMCS Quadra. Darrell is from RCSCC Amphion and Sandy is originally from RCSCC Rainbow, they met at an OJT Reunion at the famous Big Bad John’s bar at the Strathcona Hotel in Victoria. For many years both Darrell an...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 4Ep. 2
In the first episode of 2025, it was great to chat with Chris Allen from Powell River, BC. His training at HMCS Quadra started in the summer of 2007, however his first memory was a bit earlier when he attended a Sail Centre training session with his RCSCC Malaspina colleagues. Chris was lucky enough to work 2 summers at HMCS Quadra as a Staff Cadet training young Cadets to be boat operators. Chris later moved to Nanaimo and joined RCSCC Amphion while he was attending Vancouver Island University ...
Jan 15, 2025•51 min•Season 4Ep. 1
In this episode of the Quadra Alumni Podcast you’ll hear from Colin Henthorne, a former Sea Cadet from RCSCC Hampton Gray VC in Nelson, BC. Colin joined the Corps in 1966 at 12 years old and made his first trip to HMCS Quadra in the summer of 1967. Colin goes through, in detail, some of his memories from his very first day at Goose Spit. Colin later took his Boatswain Course at Naden and then attended an International Exchange to Holland (Netherlands) before returning to Quadra in 1972 to attend...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Season 3Ep. 2
We start off Season 3 of the Quadra Alumni Podcast by talking with Andrea Kucherawy, RCSCC Undaunted. Andrea has a long history at HMCS Quadra and her career at Quadra includes highlights such as Lead Stick in the Senior Band, 5 years working with the PL Course as an officer (3 summers as PLO), and 3 years as the GunsO. Andrea is a great example of how well Quadra has passed on the teachings from generation to generation. Hear who she learned from and some of the people she influenced throughout...
Feb 01, 2024•55 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Lorne is from Winnipeg Manitoba and hails from RCSCC John Travers Cornwell, VC. He remembers first going to HMCS Quadra in 1971 as a two-weekie and then followed up the next summer as a PL Cadet. As an OJT Lorne, worked in the Gunnery Department (1973) his first summer and then became the Chief of Quadra the following summer. Hear how the Chief of Quadra was selected back in his day! Lorne believes the Practical Leadership course was a turning point in his life and set him on track for many year...
Nov 30, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Commanding Officer - HMCS Quadra 1982-1984 Audio editing done by Todd Mason. More about the Quadra Alumni Podcast: - Join the Quadra Alumni Association at https://www.quadraalumni.com/ - Follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/QAAPodcast - Follow on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@quadraalumnipodcast6108 - Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/q_alumni_podcast/?hl=en Email us at quadraalumnipodcast@gmail.com for any inquiries or requests to be on the Quadra Alumni Podcast...
Nov 15, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Ben Whiting joined RCSCC Fraser in 1969 and first attended HMCS Quadra for TWGT. Ben later attend the Boatswain Course (1972) in Esquimalt and Practical Leadership (1973) in Quadra before taking the Officer Cadet Course (1974) and working on Flotilla (1975-76). He recalls his Flotilla experiences fondly and points to old shipmates such as Red Fullerton and Wally Samson and a few others as mentors. Ben is a Professional Geo Scientist and holds a Masters of Science Degree. He is the President and ...
Oct 25, 2023•49 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Dave comes on the podcast to chat about the Quadra Alumni Association 25th Anniversary Celebration that occurred 11-12 August 2023 at the 40 Knots Winery. Dave reads his speech from the final dinner which was warmly received by the 100+ Alumni Members at the event. The speech elegantly talks about why HMCS Quadra is so important to all of us. Together we took on so many challenges, we took on responsibility, we answered the call to duty, we experienced more than most youth would ever dream of, w...
Sep 30, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Travelling from Ottawa I was happy to have Bev MacKillop and Steve Murray visit the podcast studio and chat about their Quadra memories. Bev joined RCSCC Falkland in 1975 and spent many summers at Quadra; including being one of the first female cadets in 1975. Most people remember Bev in the Quadra School of Music and some may have served under her leadership as Director of Music (DMUS). Steve joined RCSCC Kootenay in 1982 and spent his summers at both Quadra and Ontario. Steve was a Sail Instru...
Aug 12, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Bromley Basford is from RCSCC Qu'appelle (Winnipeg, Man) and attended HMCS Quadra in the early 1970's. Bromley was a PL in 1974 and later served as an OJT for the Scuba Course. Hear him talk about the only US Exchange (USA West) that ever went to Pearl Harbor! Bromley shares that he worked 32 different jobs before he decided to become a teacher where he spent 28 years passing on some of the skills and practices he learned in the Sea Cadet world. http://rcsccquappelle.ca/ Audio editing done by To...
Apr 30, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 5
A young 17 year old boy from Winnipeg, Manitoba travelled to HMCS Quadra in 1974 to take the 9 week Practical Leadership (PL) Course. It changed his life! Bromley Basford narrates his memoir, "The Summer I Met Myself For The First Time". Audio editing done by Todd Mason. More about the Quadra Alumni Podcast: - Join the Quadra Alumni Association at https://www.quadraalumni.com/ - Follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/QAAPodcast - Follow on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@quadraalumnipodcas...
Apr 04, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Dan Hurley first attended HMCS Quadra in 1985 as a Two Weekie, he later took the OpsCom Course and finished as Top Cadet getting his name on the Klingle Award. Dan worked as a Staff Cadet training future OpsCom cadets and later as the Chief of Operations. Dan enrolled to the CIC and served Quadra for several years on staff. In civilian life Dan has been politically involved in numerous campaigns and worked on Parliament Hill after obtaining his bachelor’s degree from the University of Winnipeg. ...
Mar 15, 2023•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 3
http://www.quadraeducationfoundation.com/ The Quadra Education Foundation (QEF) Scholarship Program is open to all current and past cadets, officers, and civilian instructors of HMCS QUADRA Cadet Training Centre (CTC), as well as their children. The program aims to provide financial support to currently enrolled students pursing post-secondary education, and recognizes and rewards both academic and non-academic qualities or performance including: Epitomizing the aims of the Canadian Cadet Orga...
Feb 28, 2023•16 min•Season 2Ep. 2
This episode contains many memorable voices from back in 1981 that you may recognize! Special thanks to Bill Wrathall for keeping this recording safe for the past 40 years. The original recording was put together by CFMS radio in Victoria, the interviewer is Dave Armstrong (a father of Sea Cadets). The recording was titled "The Sea Cadet - HMCS Quadra" and includes a compilation of interviews done in the summer of 1981. Hope you enjoy it. I've attempted to list names of persons interviewed - exc...
Jan 31, 2023•56 min•Season 2Ep. 1
My first New Year's Eve "snap episode" with Mike Trump, Tim and Lisa Dolinski broadcast live from Mayne Island, BC. Happy New Year to every Quadra Alumni Member. Audio editing done by Todd Mason. More about the Quadra Alumni Podcast: - Join the Quadra Alumni Association at https://www.quadraalumni.com/ - Follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/QAAPodcast - Follow on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@quadraalumnipodcast6108 - Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/q_alumni_podcast/?h...
Jan 01, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 18
**Trigger Warning** This episode discusses the topic of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and some content may be distressing to the listener. This episode was done with the intention that talking about the subject could in part provide the listener with more information and potentially provide an avenue for MST survivors to come forward with any unreported events and to encourage others needing trauma support to reach out to a professional or an advocate. My guest Lori Buchart (nee Bodie) spent many...
Nov 17, 2022•50 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Ian Burke wanted to join Air Cadets because his father was in the Air Force during the WWII, but his older brother (David Burke) and a couple of neighbours made sure he joined Sea Cadets at RCSCC Malaspina in 1963. Ian spent a number of summers at HMCS QUADRA as a trainee, Staff Cadet and Staff Officer. He also attended the Boatswain Course in Esquimalt in 1966 and was part of the travelling Centennial Sea Cadet Guard for Expo 67 the next summer. Ian later worked for PacReg HQ and CTC Pat Bay be...
Aug 31, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In episode 15, we get a chance to chat with John Underhill on the telephone from Halifax. John was a Cadet at Quadra in the QSM from 1978-1981. He has fond memories of recording an album (vinyl that is) and having to sell enough copies to support the effort. Another favourite memory is when the QSM was transported by Hercules aircraft to CFB Edmonton in 1979 for a Change of Command parade. John speaks highly of Bev MacKillop and Elan Masson as leaders and mentors in the music program. John joine...
Aug 15, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 15
We're joined by a former Coxswain of HMCS QUADRA- CPO1 Sonya Purewal 2002. Sonya was a Cadet at RCSCC Beacon Hill, she has recently finished as Commanding Officer with RCSCC Columbia and plans to become CO at RCSCC Grilse in the Fall of 2022. Sonya is of South Asian decent and speaks fluent Punjabi. She pegs the 1998 Ceremony of the Flags and playing clarinet at Symphony Splash as a favourite Quadra memory. She currently works in law enforcement and has been employed with CBSA for the past 16 ye...
Aug 04, 2022•55 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Captain(N) Stewart Alsgard served as Commanding Officer from 1967-1972 at Quadra. It was an honour to interview him and learn so much about the man and the leader. Honestly, I don't believe there is an individual (with us or gone) who is responsible for more of the training development, tradition and professionalism at Quadra than him. In this episode Capt(N) Alsgard tells us all about his life's work before, during and after Quadra. His experiences are many and his approach to getting the job d...
Jul 15, 2022•2 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Beth was never a Sea Cadet but did eventually put on a Navy uniform at Quadra. Beth spent her summers at Quadra in the School of Music and ultimately became the Director of Music. One main highlight at Quadra for Beth was in 1994 reporting the Band to Queen Elizabeth II for inspection. Audio editing done by Todd Mason. More about the Quadra Alumni Podcast: - Join the Quadra Alumni Association at https://www.quadraalumni.com/ - Follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/QAAPodcast - Follow on YouTu...
Jun 30, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 11
This episode was recorded in 2021 prior to Bill's passing. It was an honour to speak with him about Quadra and some of the efforts he put into the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets over the many decades he participated. May he Rest in Peace. Bill Conconi was the final Commanding Officer at the Esquimalt Sea Cadet Camp in HMCS Naden before it merged with Quadra in 1975. Bill started his time as a Sea Cadet with RCSCC Rainbow in 1954. Bill has been a huge supporter of the Alumni Association since the begi...
Jun 20, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 10
We hear from founding member Jamie Webb and his recollection of forming the Alumni Association of HMCS Quadra. Jamie is a man of action and worked hard with other founding members to get the organization off the ground. Jamie is also a long time employee in the Dockyard at CFB Esquimalt, first as a Rigger and then later as the Senior Protocol Officer for the RCN. Jamie has always given back to his community in the most noble manner, by volunteering for almost everything. Audio editing done by To...
Jun 10, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 9
We hear from founding member Ken Neilson and his recollection of forming the Alumni Association of HMCS Quadra. Ken provided guidance and encouragement to all founding members in the development of the organization. Ken has an amazing memory of the development of Flotilla and specifically Group North, he tells some great tales from his days working in the Desolation Sound area. Ken in his civilian life was a long serving employee with the City of Victoria, the Director of Engineering and the fir...
May 30, 2022•56 min•Season 1Ep. 8
We hear from founding member Martin Head and his recollection of forming the Alumni Association of HMCS Quadra. Martin was the incoming Commanding Officer of HMCS Quadra at the time the organization was formed and supported the inclusion of the Association into the summer routine. Audio editing done by Todd Mason. More about the Quadra Alumni Podcast: - Join the Quadra Alumni Association at https://www.quadraalumni.com/ - Follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/QAAPodcast - Follow on YouTube at...
May 20, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 7
We hear from founding member Penny Waterman and her recollection of forming the Alumni Association of HMCS Quadra. Penny served as the Association Membership Chair for over a decade and was often referred to as the "table lady" at all the Alumni functions. Penny holds the distinction of being the first female CIL officer to obtain the Tender Command Qualification in 1984. A Sea Cadet in Alberni and Amphion before enrolling in the CIL at Beacon Hill. Audio editing done by Todd Mason. More about t...
May 10, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 6
We hear from founding member Wayne Kell and his recollection of forming the Alumni Association of HMCS Quadra. Wayne was the first Secretary of the Association and served in the role for 10 years. Audio editing done by Todd Mason. More about the Quadra Alumni Podcast: - Join the Quadra Alumni Association at https://www.quadraalumni.com/ - Follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/QAAPodcast - Follow on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@quadraalumnipodcast6108 - Follow on Instagram at https://ww...
Apr 30, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 5
