Former Venco apprentices prepare for reunion
Former Venco apprentices reflect on their journey as pioneers as they plan a reunion after almost five decades.
Pioneers of the engineering trade are planning to meet again after almost 50 years.
A group of former Venco employees gathered at the Newcastle Club on Saturday to brainstorm the first ever apprentice reunion, to be held in November this year. In the 1970s, these employees would go on to become artisans and pioneers in their own right.
Their journey was fraught with hardship, having arrived in Newcastle as young men full of enthusiasm and eager to make their dreams a reality. Unfortunately, this was not be the case at first.
Chairman of the Venco Reunion Committee, Barry Rai explained how a bus dumped the group outside St Oswald’s Secondary School with little more than the clothes on their back.
They had to beg residents of the Indian community for even a place to stay. Five decades later, the former Venco apprentices reflected on their journey as pioneers, from the direst of starts to becoming the first Indian artisans in the country at the time.
They hope to keep the spirit of Venco running high, particularly since the company closed a few years back.
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Rai added the committee also intended to give back to the community, especially those who contributed to their success in various fields in the years since. Reunion details will be communicated in due course.
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