OCS Class of 1972

Originally established as a Quarantine Station, the early 1950s saw the establishment of the Officer Cadet School to meet the demands for regular officers for the Army. In 1951, approval was given for the Army to have temporary use of part of the Quarantine Station.

In the event that the Station was needed for quarantine purposes, the Army was to vacate the area. Alternate sites were the Franklin Barracks (Children’s Camp) or Mildura.

The last graduation took place in 1985. After 34 years, some 2,825 officers graduated into the armies of Australia, New Zealand (378), Papua New Guinea (61), Fiji, Philippines (38), Singapore (40), Malaysia (91), Cambodia, Vietnam, Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria. Thirty Royal Australian Air Force officers also completed their training at Portsea. Finally, in its last year, females joined the intakes and 14 graduated. Loyalty and Service: The Officer Cadet School Portsea provides a good background into the life and times of a cadet at Portsea.

Some wonderful pictures of the area are contained in two books on the district. Between the Bays: The Mornington Peninsula and Gateway to Port Philip Bay contain stories of the Fort Nepean area as well as copies of paintings done by visual historian Joan Bogunda. The books were written by Joan Bogunda and Leslie M. Moorehead.