// Emerging Leader Award
WGCDR Mardon
Wing Commander Russell ‘Wax’ Mardon has been recognised for his leadership skills by the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Trust. WGCDR Mardon was one of six to receive an Emerging Leader award during a ceremony held aboard HMNZS CANTERBURY on 26 June, 2009.
Wing Commander Mardon, the CO of No. 3 Squadron, joined the RNZAF as a pilot at 19 years old and has commanded detachments in Antarctica, Bougainville, Bosnia, Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands.
Of leadership he says, “People are usually what you expect them to be, so if you expect them to step up to the mark, nine times out of 10 they will do just that,” he said.
Continuing in the spirit of leadership, 60 students from the Manawatu and Rangitikei regions spent time at Air Force Base Ohakea as part of the Sir Peter Blake Trust Leadership Week.
The three day event ran from 28 – 30 June and saw members of the Air Force and New Zealand Army working alongside the young people as they tackled team-building exercises and leadership activities.