The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA003
Saturday, 13 February 2010
NATIONAL SERVICEMEN HONOURED TOMORROW
The contribution of more than 300,000 National Servicemen will be honoured tomorrow at
special services across the country, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Alan Griffin said.
Minister Griffin said on 14 February Australians mark the contribution of National Servicemen
who were called upon to serve in the Navy, Army and Air Force during the 1950s and 1960s.
“Tomorrow marks the day the last National Servicemen completed their service on 14 February
1972. Some 20,000 National Servicemen served with distinction in Vietnam, Borneo, Malaysia
and Papua New Guinea between 1951 and 1972. Of these, more than 200 died and 1500 were
wounded in the service of our nation,” Mr Griffin said.
National Servicemen were young men, aged 18 and older, who were called to register for
compulsory military training to help boost the strength of the Australian Defence Force.
In 1957, training in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)
was abandoned and the yearly Army intake was reduced to a selective system of recruitment,
instead of a universal requirement to serve.
By 1959, the scheme was abandoned only to be reintroduced in 1964 with the introduction of a
ballot system, which saw many National Servicemen sent to Borneo and to Vietnam.
“Despite the controversy surrounding National Service at the time, these young men embraced
their duty and served our nation with pride and distinction,” Mr Griffin said.
“I urge all Australians to remember the contribution of our Nashos and honour their service.”
“I am pleased to hear that the National Service Memorial at the Australian War Memorial is
nearing completion. The Australian Government has contributed $250,000 towards the project
including the dedication ceremony, which will take place in September this year,” Mr Griffin said.
Media inquiries: Sasha Nimmo 0437 863 109
The VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week on
1800 011 046.
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