The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) marked National Servicemen’s Day last Sunday (14 February), honouring the compulsory contributions made by thousands of young Australians in the nation’s periods of national service.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Darren Chester said Australia had four periods of compulsory national service, most recently between 1951–1959 and 1964–1972.
“The last National Service Scheme was introduced in 1964 due to increasing fears about Australia’s security as there were tensions in nearby regions and therefore a need to bolster Australia’s defences,” Mr Chester said.
“Unlike universal conscription, the National Service Scheme required most men who turned 20 years old to register for the Scheme and twice a year men were selected to serve through the ‘birthday ballot’,” he said.
“More than 804,000 men registered for national service between 1964 and 1972, with more than 60,000 called up to serve.”
Mr Chester said those who served between 1951 and 1972 became affectionately known as ‘Nashos’.”
“Of these, nearly 19,500 served in Borneo and Vietnam and the remainder in support units in Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia,” the Minister said.
“More than 15,000 served in the Vietnam War where some 200 died and more than 1,200 were wounded,” he said.
Mr Chester said that this year marked 55 years since the first national servicemen arrived in Vietnam.
Further information on the National Service Scheme of 1964 can be accessed on the Department’s website at this PS News link.
