Fed: Medal was a long time coming, says Scott

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2001
Fed: Medal was a long time coming, says Scott

By Ainsley Pavey

BRISBANE, April 26 AAP - Veterans Affairs Minister Bruce Scott today admitted an official
commemorative medal for Australia's conscripts was a long time coming.

He said he couldn't explain an almost 30-year delay to announcing an Anniversary of
National Service medal for more than 330,000 national servicemen, known as nashos, who
served from 1951 to 1972.

"It has been a long time coming but it is important that this government is recognising
the nashos who served ... I can't answer for previous governments," Mr Scott said.

"Many of these are ordinary diggers who are out there, who have given service (as)
part of an obligation that was required by government and that is what we are acknowledging.

"It is important in the 50th anniversary of the introduction of national service that
we acknowledge those servicemen with a medal."

Former servicemen have welcomed the commemorative award which is still being designed
and will be available mid-year.

National Servicemen's Association president Earle Jennings said the nashos were delighted
with the medal announcement which was a boost to self-esteem for the servicemen after
years of lobbying.

"We will march taller on Anzac Day and National Service Day," he said.

"In the words used at the Centenary of the Army parade in Canberra - thanks, mate."

Prime Minister John Howard announced the medal today.

Of those conscripted, 187 were killed and almost 1,500 wounded during active service
in Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Mr Howard said he had put aside earlier doubts and believed nashos were entitled to
their own medal.

"The reason I was reluctant in the past was I didn't want in any way to diminish the
quality of the medals available to people who'd served in particular theatres of war,"

he said.

Australia's first national servicemen were an airforce intake of 18-year-olds who
went into camp for six months at RAAF Amberley and RAAF Garbutt on July 30, 1951.

More than 250,000 young men served in the three services during a scheme begun for
the Korean War from 1951 to 1959.

The next batch of nashos were called up for the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1972.

The commemorative medal will be available to 227,000 Australians who met their full
and part-time obligations under the 1951-59 scheme and to some 63,000 who met their full-time
service obligation under the 1965-72 national service scheme.

Mr Howard said in addition, 35,000 who registered for national service under the 1965-72
scheme and elected to meet their obligation through part-time service would be eligible
for the award.

AAP ap/jhm/mg/sb

KEYWORD: SERVICE MEDAL SCOTT NIGHTLEAD

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