By Maurice Filei, secretary of the Ingham Branch National Servicemen's Association of Australia
The Ingham Branch National Servicemen's Association of Australia held their final meeting at the Herbert River RSL recently, to swap memories and say their farewells to a historic part of the hinchinbrook community.
On the 16th June, 2002, State Treasurer Neil Freier and Liaison Officer Ray Lower, together with other District members, gathered at the Herbert River RSL to form an Ingham Branch of the NSAA. An early highlight of the Branch was the presentation by the Hon. Bob Katter of over 50 National Service medals, either personally or posthumously. The District RSL President, Rodger Bow and the Herbert River RSL President Lloyd Greentree, suggested that the local branch should lead the 2003 Anzac Day Parade. The end result was that a photo of the Nashos leading the parade and ended up on the front page of the HRE, State Newspapers and the front cover of the Nashos State Magazine.
The Ingham Branch received its Charter on the 25th September 2003 at the Mackay State Conference, presented to the Inaugural President, John W Pearson, by the State President Colin Bell. Also in 2003, Inaugural President, John W Pearson, Inaugural Secretary Maurice Filei and Inaugural Treasurer, Rod Pearce, joined the Ingham Branch of Townsville Legacy.
The next milestone was the unveiling, on Remembrance Day, 11 November 2004, of the Ingham District Branch Memorial, located in the Memorial Park adjacent to the Cenotaph. The impressive stone was donated by Mayor Pino Giandomenico, in association with I Q C. However, the greatest triumph of our local branch, undoubtedly, was the construction of the Nasho Memorial Wall, located at the New Ingham Cemetery.
Presently, 110 bronze plaques are affixed to the Wall, commemorating the service of deceased Nashos from the Army, Navy and Air Force. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the first Intake of National Servicemen,1951-1972. National Service was compulsory. Some 287,000 young Australian men were called up, in 2 separate schemes, for compulsory training. Of these, 212 died on active service in Borneo and Vietnam. National Service was Australia’s defence readiness for over 20 years.
From its inception Ingham Branch of Nashos has enjoyed the help from volunteers. Most notable being Reverend Peter Blackburn, who has volunteered his time and energy on numerous occasions as Honorary Pastor, at all times when needed for services relating to the demise of Nashos, Memorial Services, Service Dinners, etc. Ably assisted by our always ready to volunteer, Honorary Bugler Louie Piotto.
Sadly, from 2026 onwards, Nashos, as we know it, will cease to exist...
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