Former national servicemen conscripted to fight for their country are being urged to ensure they are receiving the right entitlements.
Nasho Fair Go Queensland representative Graham Parlour said the national advocacy group was trying to reach men conscripted between 1965 and 1972 who may not know they can seek support through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs White Card system.
“We now have this situation where there are literally thousands of national servicemen we cannot find,” Mr Parlour said.
“There are dozens of national servicemen that do not even know Nasho Fair Go exists, or that they are entitled to a White Card.
The Veteran White Card provides free medical treatment for service-related injuries or conditions and other care in some circumstances.
“If we could find one Nasho, hopefully we’d find more. I know they’re there, we just don’t know who they are.”
Mr Parlour said many Nashos were now in their 70s and 80s and had spent decades living with the effects of their service.
“Every digger has a problem,” he said.
“Hearing is a big problem with diggers.
Mr Parlour said many Nashos struggled over decades with Post Traumatic Stress Discorder and the psychological impacts of service.
“There are a lot of fellas where, if someone slams a door, they jump,” he said.
“I can’t go near a fireworks display. I just go to pieces. I can’t handle it,” he said.
“You don’t realise the damage until it’s too late.”
Mr Parlour said many men from the national service era had not volunteered, but were compelled to serve after their birthdate was drawn in the ballot.
“Every male in Australia who turned 20 in 1965 had to register for national service,” he said.
“Out of all the young fellas who registered, 48,000 were conscripted.
“The deal was that if your number came out, you were conscripted into the Australian Army for two years, or you would go to jail if you failed to attend.”
He said many were already married or raising families.
“As we found out later, quite a large number of these young fellas were married,” he said.
“Some of them had children.
“For two years, they were taken away from their wives and their families.”
Mr Parlour said while many Australians associated Nashos with Vietnam, others served elsewhere or within Australia.
“As we’ve been told, 15,000 served in Vietnam,” he said.
“National servicemen were also sent to Borneo, Singapore, Malaya, New Guinea and across Australia.
“No one can tell us at Nasho Fair Go what numbers of national servicemen served in those other theatres.”
Mr Parlour, who was conscripted in 1966 and served from 1966 to 1968, said the group wanted former servicemen and their families to check whether they may be eligible for support.
He also said Nasho Fair Go was focused on men conscripted between 1965 and 1972.
“We are predominantly interested in the 1965 through to 1972 national servicemen,” he said.
“There’s a lot of work to be done.
“I am dedicated to this because I can see what has happened to these fellas.
“It’s not right, and I cannot understand why it hasn’t been rectified.”
Former Nashos, their families, or anyone who knows a former national serviceman can contact Nasho Fair Go or DVA on 1800 VETERAN.
“Another three Nashos will die,” Mr Parlour said.
“By 12 o’clock, three today will have died.
“That’s what we’re up against.”
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