18 Appy Course, Laverton.  12 January, 1964 - 17 August, 1966

Back Row: V. Cottrill, L. Smith, G.Coutts, J.Cureton, G. Jackson, I. Slattery, P. Gilvarry, B. Gillick, G. Lydeamore

Centre:  G. Forsyth, D. Gaffee, G. Porter, M. Ramsey, C. Sandford, G. Skinner, P. Cooper, D. Daniel, B. Cheshire, A. Shanley, J. Vanderlinden.

Front:  R. Kingsley, T. Norris, R. Evans, G, Dowling, J. Jones, S. Rushton, K. Davis, P. Walters, B. Sargent, R. Thompson, G. Cromb, R. Ledingham.

This article on the 18 Appy Brat Pack was sent to us by Graeme Skinner.

Number 18 Apprentice Radio Technician Course commenced training at Laverton in January 1964. After kitting and basic familiarizattion, formal full-time academic training commenced at RMIT on the 14th Feb 94. At the end of the first year, the academic requirements of the Victorian Apprenticeship Commission had been met. On completion of the second year, those members with successful passes in all subjects had qualified for the RMIT Radio and Electronic Technician Certificate, which was to be issued after one year's satisfactory application in the field.

When the RMIT phase of the training was completed, the Appies were categorised into either Groundies or Air Radio bods and further specific training was carried out at Radschool at Laverton. (According to John Broughton, the groundies were given a bass broom to clean the plates of a tuning gang while the air blokes were taught to drive a Clarktor).  During the 2 years 7 month training period, the blokes had conducted tours of RAAF Telecommunications and Radio Sections, as well as trips to various civvy radio and electronic establishments.

During the term, they spent their Easters under canvas (See photo in one of our previous editions by clicking HERE) at camps organised by the Church of England men's group at Ocean Grove - a seaside resort on Bass Strait, about 85 klms from Laverton  - down the Geelong Rd. The idea of the camps was to enable the 'new boys' to mix with the 'old hands' in an environment away from the strick military system and to help in establishing course and squadron 'esprit de corps' and to instill a sense of belonging in the young blokes. In reality, it was a time when the old hands really stuck it to the new boys.

There was a struggling farmer who owned a property out the back of Bourke. The Dept of Employment claimed he was not paying proper wages to his employees and sent a Public Servant out to interview him. "I need a list of your employees and how much you pay them," demanded the Public Servant. "Well," replied the farmer, "There's my farm hand who's been with me for 3 years. I pay him $600 a week plus free room and board. The cook has been here for 18 months, and I pay her $500 per week plus free room and board. Then there's the half-wit who works about 18 hours every day and does about 90% of all the work around here. He makes about $10 per week, and I buy him a bottle of VB every Saturday night." "That's the guy I want to talk to, the half-wit," says the Public Servant. "That would be me," replied the farmer.

Climate Change

Skeptical Scientists urge the world to ‘Have the Courage to Do Nothing'  At the UN Conference in BALI, an international team of scientists skeptical of man-made climate fears promoted by the UN and former Vice President Al Gore, descended on Bali this week to urge the world to "have the courage to do nothing" in response to UN demands. Lord Christopher Monckton, a UK climate researcher, had a blunt message for UN climate conference participants on Monday. "Climate change is a non-problem. The right answer to a non problem is to have the courage to do nothing," Monckton told participants.  more.........