Introduction
Some basic information about the issues discussed across this entire podcast series. Transcript.
A lottery barrel used to select the birthdays of men who registered for National Service; men whose birthdays were drawn out were required to attend a medical and then, if fit, to complete military training. Photograph c/ The National Vietnam Veterans Museum, Phillip Island
A history of National Service in Australia:
Pre World War 1: compulsory military training for males between 12 and 26 years old; didn’t include service overseas.
World War 1, the government tried to introduce overseas service, but plebiscites held in 1916 and 1917 saw the Australian population reject the idea of conscription.
Compulsory training was ended in 1929.
At the start of World War 2, compulsory military training was reintroduced for service within Australia.
In 1943, the federal government expanded the definition of Australia to include New Guinea, then under Australian mandate - so men could be sent there as part of that compulsory military service.
Compulsory training discontinued after World War Two.
Compulsory training revived again in 1951 and discontinued again in 1959.
1964: the Liberal (conservative) government of Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies introduced National Service for military training within Australia.
1965: national servicemen may now be sent overseas.
What the National Service Act required:
Every 20 year old Australian man legally required to register for national service (the legal voting age was 21).
Birth dates were chosen as marbles from a lottery barrel, a few times a year
Deferment, exemption, and conscientious objector status all legally possible.
Over 15,000 national servicemen served in the Vietnam War, 200 being killed and 1,279 wounded. National Service was abolished by the new Labor government under Gough Whitlam in December 1972.
(With thanks to The Australian War Memorial, “Conscription”, last accessed 13 July 2023.)
The Vietnam War
The first Australians arrived in South Vietnam in 1962, as military advisers.
1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, arrived in South Vietnam in June 1965.
Australia started winding back its involvement in late 1970.
Many troops withdrawn in 1971 (under the Liberal government of John Gorton).
Australian combat troops completely out of Vietnam by December 1972.
Australia officially out of combat in January 1973.
During Australia’s involvement, 60,000 Australians served in the war, with 521 being killed and over 3000 wounded.
(With thanks to The Australian War Memorial, “Vietnam War 1962-75”, last accessed 13 July 2023.)
By-law 418
A Melbourne City Council statute that prohibited the distribution of leaflets without a permit.
Prior to the mid 1960s this by-law was largely ignored.
Using this by-law, many people distributing political pamphlets were arrested and given fines for their actions.
Protestors argued that their right to freedom of speech was being impinged.
By-law repealed in April 1969.
(See Roger Sanders and John Hamilton, “From the Archives, 1969: Archaic Melbourne pamphlet by-law repealed,” The Age 8 April 2021.)