The high praise came from RFS South West Zone development officer David Nicholson during a presentation at the school on Wednesday morning upon the program’s completion.

“Hennessy is the best school I’ve done,” he said.

“Because the kids are determined, high achievers, hard workers and have a willingness to do anything.”

The 10 week program has been running in the zone for the last four to five years, with local officers selecting a different secondary school and local government area per year.

Young High School and schools in Harden and Cootamundra have participated in previous years.

Its aim is to encourage new members from younger generations to join the service.

Hennessy teacher Jessica McInerney managed to round up a group of Year 10 students who were interested in participating, which saw 13 complete the program.

“It was good to see kids who aren’t leaders or not normally involved in things step up and obviously take lead roles,” Jessica said.

“These kids were Lachlan Whitechurch, Angus Rudd and Riley Turner.”

Once a week trainers David, Peter Bulliman and Nicole Coutts taught the cadets first aid, fitness, hose drills, and radios and communications.

“It’s basically a condensed bushfire fighter course,” David said.

“My highlight was their whole attitude towards the whole thing, in other words, their awesomeness!”

Cadet Molly Jones said she signed up for the program because she already had connections in the RFS and it appealed to her.

The 15-year-old also said she’s considering joining the service.

“[I was looking forward to] just getting out there and learning what the RFS actually do,” Molly said.

“I learnt how many different roles there are… [my highlight] was having fun and getting to know lots of different people.”