The Hon Bruce Billson MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence
at the
National Servicemen’s Parade, Shrine of Remembrance
Melbourne 11 February 2007

• Acknowledgments…
  
  
• I feel genuinely honoured to join you this morning and thank you most sincerely for inviting me to speak to you briefly at this memorial service.
  
  
• We come here today because, as Australians, we are grateful, sincerely grateful to our national servicemen for their contribution to our nation. 
  
  
• Our Nashos, as they are widely known, played a vital role in our defence forces in a time of great need.
  
  
• In the 1950s, your services were needed as instability threatened our region with the onset of the Cold War, the outbreak of the Malayan Emergency and the Korean War.
  
  
• It is a credit to the Nashos that they responded with pride, humour and commitment when called upon to serve.  They acquitted themselves admirably and with distinction in the line of duty.
  
  
• From 1951 to 1972, more than 290,000 young Australian men undertook national service, mainly in the Army but some in the Navy and Air Force.  A number went on to enlist in the regular or militia forces.
  
  
• The 1951 national service scheme ended in 1959 but Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia brought demands on our nation for increased troop numbers. National service was re-introduced in 1965, with recruits selected by ballot.
  
  
• Duty-bound, our young men again committed themselves to the cause just like their predecessors.  A small number served in Malaysia before the end of Confrontation in August 1966 and nearly 20,000 national servicemen served magnificently in Vietnam from 1966 to 1972.
  
  
• Your outstanding performance resulted in some being decorated or mentioned in despatches for gallantry and dedication to duty.
  
  
• Great sacrifices were also made.  More than 200 Nashos who served in Borneo and Vietnam lost their lives and more than 1200 were wounded and our thoughts are with them today.
  
  
• Today, we pay tribute to all brave Nashos who served in various theatres, and especially remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice or returned [inaudible] carried out their service and their duty because of it.
  
  
• The Australian Government is committed to acknowledging the contribution made by national servicemen to our defence forces, and the Australian Defence Medal and the Anniversary of National Service Medal are some examples of our nation showing its appreciation of your service.
  
  
• You may be aware some have criticised me for the Australian Defence Medal, for not being available only to volunteers.  I respond with some vigour to that criticism because the Australian Defence Medal recognises service.  Whether it was a person’s intention and career path to join the defence forces or where, with other ambitions, people were called forward to serve in our defence forces, this service deserves to be recognised whether as a result of volunteer enlistment or as a result of national service.
  
  
• I am also pleased your Association has reached an agreement with the Australian War Memorial on a site in the Memorial grounds for a memorial fountain.  That will continue to commemorate your service and that of your mates, and especially the memory of those who died in Borneo and Vietnam.
  
  
• I am encouraged that your Association is working so cooperatively with the Australian War Memorial to plan and create a fitting and meaningful memorial tribute to those servicemen.
  
  
• Last October, at the 55th anniversary reunion of the Association, I was delighted to announce that the Australian Government would provide $100,000 towards your memorial project.
  
  
• I also pledged a further $50,000 once your fundraising from other sources reaches $100,000 – a commitment I stand by.  I trust your fundraising is going well and I wish you all the best. 
  
  
• I commend the Association on its continuing commitment to the memory of all those who served and died during our national service period, and in ensuring that today’s events including the parade, memorial service and wreath laying ceremony are a credit to all Nashos.
  
  
• I say most sincerely I admire and respect each and every one of you for your service to the nation and on behalf of a grateful nation I extend our gratitude and thank you for your commitment to Australia, your service to the country and your support for each other.
  
  
• Thankyou for having me here today.

Ends.