George Perisic still clearly recalls walking into a large classroom of 44 fellow first-year apprentices at Ford’s Norlane plant almost 50 years ago.
It was inaugural year of the apprentice training centre in The Boulevarde, now demolished for a new Bunnings store.
“First-year apprentices used to go straight into the tool room but Ford decided to establish the training centre,” George said.
“We were only 16, so we were still kids really and, boys being boys, we did play up a bit.
“We tried to cover up our smoking by cramming into the welding booth but we got caught because the welding smoke is blue instead of white,” he laughed.
“We used to have oil can fights and then panicked because we had to quickly clean it up before the instructors returned.”
George, and a few others from that 1964 intake have kept in touch, hope to catch up with the entire class for a 50th anniversary.
“We’ve lost track of a few of the guys. They’re a bit spread out, so we’re trying to find the rest of them,” George.
“We know six went interstate but the rest are still around the region, as far as we know.”
Ford was a different place back then, George reminisced.
“There were 800 tradesmen in the tool room and our intake had another 36 toolmakers or fitters and turners, four electricians and four maintenance fitters.
“We spent 12 months side-by-side in the classroom and rotating to various workbenches learning the basic skills.
“I had 42 years there and lot of chaps in our year went on to salaried, supervisory and management positions.
“It was a great place to work, even though it’s not doing too well at the moment. But Ford is integral to Geelong and the footy club.”
George said anyone from the 1964 apprentice intake could phone him about the reunion on 5278 6475 or email georgeperisic@hotmail.com.
