National Servicemen's Association of Australia Queensland Remembrance Day Service

Representing the Premier, Ms Jennifer Howard; representing the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Stephen Bennett; representing the Lord Mayor, Councillor Kate Richards; Commander Savvakis; National Servicemen’s Association of Australia National President, Major Earle Jennings, and Queensland President, Mr Alex Garlin; representatives from the Australian Defence Force and police; distinguished guests; veterans; ladies and gentlemen.

I am honoured to join you once again, with my wife Kaye, to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia’s National Servicemen in the 1950s and 1960s.

Commemorations of that service and sacrifice inevitably, and rightly, evoke a range of emotions.

For the veterans here today, there is the pleasure of catching up with old friends, of sharing memories, and of enjoying once more that unique camaraderie fully understood only by those who served together, often in intrinsically difficult and dangerous circumstances.

There is pride in the contribution that Nashos made to Australia’s armed forces.

There is also the deep sadness of remembering those who did not return to their loved ones, or who returned with visible or invisible wounds.

And at the winnowing of the ranks of National Servicemen by that most implacable of enemies, time.

For those who fought in Vietnam, there is sorrow at the hostility many faced when they came home.

And, I sincerely hope, there is some acceptance of recompense as their loyal and courageous service to their country has been eventually, at long last, recognised, acknowledged and admired – unstintingly.

The National Servicemen’s Association has been an energetic and tenacious supporter of ex-National Servicemen for more than 30 years.

The association has provided, and continues to provide, highly practical programs to support the health and welfare of its veterans.

It has given Nashos a voice, acknowledging and officially recognising the contributions of our National Servicemen.

The association has ensured that the history of the service of Nashos is not forgotten, and established permanent memorials to remind the community of that service.

Today, the association marks a further achievement in that admirable mission.

The association’s new plaque, which I will officially unveil at the conclusion of these remarks, records the names of more than 20 National Serviceman who trained at Sanananda Barracks, close to where we stand today, between 1951 and 1959, and who died while completing their service.

Most of them were Queenslanders, and most from regional parts of the State.

Today, we mourn the loss and honour the service of those young, very young, Australians whose names are now permanently engraved on the plaque.

On behalf of all Queenslanders, I thank the association for its wonderful commitment and hard work, over several decades, in the service of its members.

And I thank Australia’s National Servicemen for the loyalty and courage with which they served their country.

Thank you.