KINGSCLIFF showed yesterday after 100 years the Royal Australian Navy's flame still burns bright.

The Daily News also discovered while the Kingscliff RSL Sub Branch celebrated the navy's centenary, Robina's Tara Byrne, 15, was one of about 20 cadets who marched and showed the flame would be kept alive.

Tara's mum Caroline Field said her daughter belonged to the Southport-based Training Ship Tyalgum and wanted to join the navy as a personal trainer after graduating from Marymount College.

“An ex-navy friend suggested it, and now Tara dreams of seeing the world,” Mrs Field said.

“Tara is respectful, mature, friendly and self-disciplined and she knows the navy will give her a lot of opportunities if she works hard.”

Mrs Field said if her daughter was one day shipped to the other side of the world she would be “concerned, but very proud”.

“And I know she is very nervous today, but also very, very proud to be wearing the uniform as the navy turns 100.”

Tweed Heads' Training Ship Vampire cadets led the march with their band from Turnock St to the Cenotaph. They invited the TS Tyalgum cadets, to whom Tara belongs, to join them and about 50 RAN veterans.

“They did well today,” Mrs Field said.

Yesterday marked 100 years since King George V approved Australia's request to attach the “Royal” prefix to its navy which was growing because of domestic wealth and impending global conflict.

Celebrations seem more subdued compared with the 75th anniversary, which some believe was simply better funded.