The girls, aged 14 to 17, either live or board on Thursday Island and had been working together since the start of the year in preparation for the event.
Aeron Holzhauser, the acting station officer at Thursday Island Fire Brigade, led the girls’ convoy along with firefighter Ben Bartsch.
Ms Holzhauser said she was incredibly proud of the group, which was the first all-girls team in Cadet Games history.
“I get goosebumps thinking about it,” she said on Sunday as the team drove back to Cairns, ready to fly back to the Torres Strait.
“They did themselves proud, their community proud and their friends and family proud.”
The team called themselves Wati Baidham and comprised Udiwad Tapim, Shontay Kelly, Kutuane Waia, Emily Seekee April Mooka and Tamarina Tom.
The PCYC Queensland Cadet Games was not held last year due to COVID-19 and a number of teams withdrew this year because of the ongoing pandemic.
However, teams from across the state still gathered at Townsville for a series of challenges, mostly involving teamwork and the ability to think outside the square.
“It was a great experience for the girls and I’m sure they had a wonderful time,” Ms Holzhauser said.
“Hopefully we can send a team to the next Games.”
