Thursday 3rd August 2023

Last Thursday past president Graham Lacey gave a presentation on the Army’s Officer Training Unit, which was based at Scheyville NSW from 1965 to 1973, and his personal experiences there as an officer cadet from July 1972 until his graduation in June 1973.  He outlined the history and operation of the unit which was established to primarily train selected National Servicemen as officers, all in 22 weeks.  What was particularly sobering was his detailing of the eight graduates who were killed in action in Vietnam.

Also, very interesting as it was unknown to many members is that a number of prominent public figures were Scheyville graduates, including one deputy Prime Minister (Tim Fischer) and two state premiers (Kennett and Gutwein).

Thanks very much Graham.  For those of us who did not serve, the talk
provided a valuable insight to military service for that period of time
(conscription !!)

Report: Warren Jones