A dinner, a formal parade, a church service and lots of reminiscing happened last weekend as Whanganui's No 9 Squadron Air Training Cadets celebrated their 75th anniversary, Squadron Leader Charlie Quirk says.
The squadron started in September 1941, during World War II. It had its first official parade on December 2 that year.
Its emphasis has changed since those war years, but it still has 73 cadets and six staff, and parades every Wednesday night at its premises in Whanganui's Maria Pl Extension.
The anniversary weekend started on Saturday morning with a small group of cadets re-enacting activities from the 1940s at the squadron's former premises in Ridgway Street.
Its current Maria Pl premises were also open - with photo boards, displays and a slide presentation running. Morning tea was provided by the squadron's support committee, and people could try out the flight simulator and reminisce with old friends.