The Memorial was unveiled by the Association
President and Principle Designer Frank Poole (10th Intake)
and the Patron LtGen Ken Gillespie (23rd Intake) on Sunday
26 October 2008 as part of the 60th Anniversary Celebrations
with approximately 700 Apprentices and guests. The Memorial
was dedicated by two ordained Apprentices, Rev Bryan
Nicholls ( 11th Intake) and Rev Craig Potter (38th Intake)
The dedication statement reads;
“This memorial is dedicated to the 8000 Australian youths
who trained at the Australian Army Apprentices School at
Balcombe and later at Bonegilla between 1948 and 1995. These
soldiers used the skills and personal values instilled
during their time at the School to ensure the continuing
high standards of technical efficiency of the Australian
Army and of their later contributions to the community.
The memorial is particularly dedicated to those Apprentices
who paid the supreme sacrifice whilst serving in Australia
and overseas.
This dedication recognises all who entered the Apprentices
School, not just those who graduated, and recognises all
trades including band and clerks. It recognises the
contribution made by those who practiced their trade
throughout their career and those who changed to non-trade
corps and the many who later became officers and non-trade
NCOs/WOs
