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Dedication 8 September 2010
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
National Service Memorial
The National Service Memorial at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra will be dedicated on Wednesday, September 8, 2010. The National Council of the National Servicemen.s Association of Australia Incorporated and the Council of the Australian War Memorial have approved a fountain set in its own precinct on the Eastern side of the main entrance to the Australian War Memorial. Work began just after ANZAC Day 2009 and will be completed before ANZAC Day 2010. The Memorial honours the 212 National Servicemen who died on active service—two in Borneo and 210 in Vietnam
and commemorates the 287,000 young men called up in two schemes between 1951 and 1972 for service in the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army
and the Royal Australian Air Force.
The Memorial to National Servicemen
The Memorial will bear the inscription:
“Dedicated to all Australian National Servicemen
and in memory of those who died.”
The history of National Service will be told on a plaque on one of the adjacent seats. The fountain will use recycled water. The plinth will be of Wondabyne sandstone from quarries at Gosford on the NSW Central Coast, matching that of the Australian War Memorial itself. This stone also will be used for the surrounds and seats.
The highly polished black slab will be of South Australian granite with hollowed out shapes and the bowl will be of solid cast bronze. The Tri-Service badge from the Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal and the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force badges will be reproduced
in bronze on the four corners.
The water in the bronze bowl represents the Navy, the sandstone plinth represents the Army, and the Air Force is represented by the sky reflected in the polished black granite slab. The Memorial is intended to be non-triumphal and to invite reflection.
The view from the seating around the fountain is down Anzac Parade, over Lake Burley Griffin and the old and new Parliament Houses to the Brindabella Ranges.
The funds raised for the National Service memorial include a donation of $150,000 from the Federal Government; $150,000 from businessman Mr Kerry Stokes AO; donations from State Governments, and local authorities around Australia and
contributions from National Service and RSL sub-branches and individuals.
The National Servicemen.s Association of Australia undertook the Memorial on behalf of all Australian National Servicemen.
All Nashos are invited to the Dedication parade and service.
The Channel 7 News and Current Affairs programs are promoting the event and helping in the search for relatives of the 212 National Servicemen who died on active service to invite them to attend. Representatives of all nine Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment also will be invited.
The designer, Richard Johnson, of Johnson Pilton Walker,
is one of Australia.s leading architects. Another project on which he is currently engaged is the redesign, in conjunction with Jørn Utzon.s son,
of the Opera Theatre in the world heritage listed Sydney Opera House.
A Day of National Significance
The events taking place on this day in the Nation.s capital are of significance to all Australian National Servicemen. The National Service Memorial will be dedicated at 11:30am on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, in the presence of Her Excellency
Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.
The ceremony will follow a parade of National Servicemen up Anzac Parade.
Reception Evening
The Honourable Jillian Gillard MP, Prime Minister of Australia has been asked to host a reception in the Great Hall of Parliament House on the evening of Tuesday, September 7, 2010 for National Servicemen and their partners. Due to a limit of 1000
attendees, this event will be by invitation only, and allocation of invitations will be determined by the organising committee.
Groups or Associations should submit names as soon as possible.
The Parade
Assembly will commence on Anzac Parade from
9:00am on Wednesday, September 8, 2010. Step off will be approximately 10:00am.
Nashos will march as one group, in companies of year of call-up, without regard to Service, State or Scheme; and led by the 1951 year group, the Australian
National Flag and the National Servicemen.s Memorial Pipes and Drums.
The only flag will be the Australian National Flag. No other flags or banners will be paraded. However, a special area adjacent to the memorial will be set aside for a
static display of unit and association flags and banners.
The memorial parade is for Australian National Servicemen, therefore only National
Servicemen may march. Relatives will not be permitted to march. To comply, wear the
National Service Medal amongst those you are eligible to wear.
The suggested dress code is your Association uniform with beret or, suit and jacket if not a member of an association. One or two lapel badges will be appropriate. Officially issued decorations, campaign and service medals should be worn as appropriate.
Unlike other commemorative days, this parade is a tribute to National Service and traditionally, relative,s medals are not worn.
Wheelchairs will be included in the parade companies, but under the NSAA.s duty of care must be accompanied by a competent carer. ANZAC Parade is steep and the roadway across the face of the Australian War Memorial past the saluting base is gravel National Servicemen in wheelchairs must inform the National Secretary of the National
Servicemen's Association as soon as possible of their intent to participate and the
name of their carer. Other mobility impaired National Servicemen intending to
take part in the parade must also inform the National Secretary so
arrangements can be made for transport along the parade route.
The parade Commander will decide on the day the size of companies. There will be no organised groups. The aim is to have National Servicemen marching as one. The National Servicemen's Association and kindred organisations will provide marshalls on the day and you are asked to follow their directions.
The Dedication
The ceremony will take place in the Eastern precinct adjacent to the Australian War Memorial building commencing at 11:30am following the parade. Members of the public, relatives and ex-Service colleagues are invited to attend and support the National Servicemen on this very solemn occasion. Australia.s Federation Guard and the Band of the Royal Military College of Australia have been requested to support, and the Reserve seating will be provided for special groups. Special guests will include any
immediate relatives of the 212 National Servicemen who died while on active service.
Reunions
Unit and Association reunions will be held at various locations in the afternoon or evening following the parade and dedication. If you are not a member of a unit association, you will be most welcome to join their activities on the day. Details will be provided on our National website.
Transport
Due to parking restrictions in the vicinity of Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial, transport from selected locations in Canberra and Queanbeyan will be available. Details will be provided on the website.
Accommodation
Canberra, Queanbeyan and surrounding towns have limited accommodation and so are often booked in advance by tour groups and schools, so do not delay in making your accommodation arrangements.
In terms of information and services across the city of Canberra, please refer to the
following website which will „paint a picture. on everything available across the city. On the top right hand side of the home page, is a section which refers to “accommodation”. Accommodation requirements can be entered here for this year
and an available list of properties and costs can be booked accordingly.
Those individuals who may be intending to visit, who are not part of any block-booked accommodation already in place, will be able to use this site with ease.
Please refer to website: www.visitcanberra.com.au
DEDICATED TO ALL AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL SERVICEMEN
AND IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO DIED.
For further information
Details relating to the National Servicemen’s Association and future updates on the memorial dedication events can be found on our national website, www.nashoaustralia.org.au or by contacting us at nashosecretary@optusnet.com.au
or PO Box 6203 Long Jetty, NSW 2261.
Information contained herein is accurate at time of going to print.
Follow the below LINK to see the Memorial Brochure 
Bob ( wheels ) WHELAN, your (PRESIDENT)
on 0448 995 977 or mail@3rar-sa-assoc.org.au
MEMORIAL BROCHURE ( in PDF FORMAT. 2.25 MB )