The first graduation from the Officer Cadet School took place on 6th June 1952. Some 61 graduates became officers in the Australian Army. Since that first graduation until the final graduation in December 1985, 3544 cadets graduated. To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of this event, we are planning to hold a significant reunion plus the launch of a book containing interviews of graduates, staff and others involved with its history.
Anniversary Lunch and Bus Trip
Class Orderlies were contacted in January and asked to provide an indication of attendance at two key functions – an Anniversary Luncheon and a bus trip to Portsea.
The response has been high with over 300 indicating that they would be interested in attending the lunch. This is a great start. We are now looking to confirm the Melbourne location for this event. We can say that there will be a limit on the numbers who attend as large capacity venues are difficult to find.
The bus trip to Portsea looks as though it will be well attended as well with around 200 interested.
The Book of Interviews
Our author, Dave Morgan, has commenced work and now has around ten interviews documented. These are being reviewed and past graduate Neil Churches has taken on the task of editing copy.
We have had initial discussions with the publisher with a view to determining the size and style for the book. Our preferred approach is to make it similar in presentation to Loyalty and Service produced by Neville Lindsay in the mid-90s.
Our plan is to launch the book at the Anniversary Lunch.