In January 1974, more than 90 15 and 16-year-old boys, selected from all over Australia, were transported from their family homes to undergo Basic Military Training at Benalla Migrant Camp.
This was before they started their Trade Training at the Army Apprentices School, near Mornington, Victoria.
Organiser Dale Roberts said out of thousands of recruits, these boys were the elite in areas, such as fitness, sporting ability, academic achievement, psychological testing and adaptability.
‘‘They were to undergo rigorous training as young soldiers before commencing their military careers,’’ Mr Roberts said.
Now, 45 years later, the one and only intake of apprentices to train in Benalla, the 29th Intake, are gathering to celebrate their first ever reunion.
They will be part of Benalla’s Australia Day weekend and will be at the lakeside event on the morning of the January 26.
Many members will not have seen one another for more than 42 years.
They will be travelling from as far afield as Western Australia, South Australia, Townsville, Darwin and Tasmania.
With more than 60 attending the reunion, organisers are expecting it to be a fun weekend full of memories, smiling faces and good times.
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