FORMER members of the 36th intake of the Balcombe Army Apprentice School (AAS) at Mt Martha – the final class to graduate in 1981 – have gathered for a long awaited reunion.
About 100 former apprentices out of the roughly 300 who enlisted in that intake attended the event on 10 January. The day’s events began at Mornington before the group made their way to Mace Oval, with the group including former Regimental Sergeant Major Ray Hartigan. The celebrations continued at the Dava Hotel in Mt Martha for refreshments and socialising.
Many members reflected on joining the school as young teens – just 14 to 16 years old at the time.
Among the graduates was Mark Horner, who joined at 16 to learn carpentry.
“We got world-class trade training from a really good bedded down system,” he said, reflecting on the blend of military drill, trade lessons, and guidance that shaped him and his fellow “boy soldiers”.
Horner said COVID postponed their 40th reunion plans but added it was great to be back with the crew after all these years.
The AAS was a post World War II training institution established at Balcombe Army Camp, Mount Martha, in 1948. It provided a unique combined military and vocational training program for youths from around Australia, who enlisted typically between 15 and 17 years old to complete multi year apprenticeships in trades.
Graduates also earned recognised trade qualifications alongside their army training.
In 1982, the school relocated to Latchford Barracks at Bonegilla before eventually closing in 1995.
First published in the Mornington News – 20 January 2026