The inaugural Harry Preece Memorial Bursary was given to Cressy District High School's Adele Chugg, Campbell Town District High School's Joshua Freeman and Kings Meadows High Schools' Shaye McGuire.

Northern Midlands National Service Association president Bob Pitt said Mr Preece was passionate about seeing their legacy continue.

"He was always saying 'we've got to do something to keep people aware of the days where we did have national service'," Mr Pitt said.

"Unfortunately he passed away before this happened."

He said the grade 10 bursary recipients were not selected on an academic basis.

"It would be somebody who would need X amount of help to go on with their education of apprenticeship," Mr Pitt said.

"We've decided to keep it going every year, basically until we run out of money."

Adele, 16, said she would use the bursary to continue on to study construction at Newstead College.

Funds raised for the bursaries are sourced through sausage sizzles at Bunnings and through various donations received by the organisation.