Plaque recognises role of Nashos

More than 200 Nashos turned out for the unveiling of the plaque. They came from as far a field as Newcastle, Wauchope, Bowraville, Kempsey, the Great Lakes, Taree and Wingham.

National Servicemen of Australia Port Macquarie sub-branch president Vic Figg said the plaque honoured the many Nashos who served from 1951 to 1972.

The NSW association started in the mid-1990s with the formation of a branch at Bingara. There are now more than 30 branches across NSW and each has strived to have a monument or plaque built.

The Member for Lyne, Mark Vaile, who is patron of the Port Macquarie branch, and the Hastings mayor, Cr Wayne Richards, officially unveiled the plaque.

The Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Oakeshott, RSL Port Macquarie sub-branch president Peg Webster and the association’s padre, Captain Eddie Holman, were also guests at the function.

Hastings Council’s parks and gardens manager, Paul Pontifex, was presented with a memento from the Port Macquarie sub-branch for his, and Hastings Council’s, contribution in helping arrange the erection of the plaque.

Mr Vaile said Nashos had a history of upholding over many years Australia’s ideals that had been established by personnel in all areas of service.

“In recent years Australians were again called on to help an oppressed group of people in our region and Australians were up to the task,” Mr Vaile said.

He said the decision to put at risk the lives of young Australian troops in East Timor “was one of the most melancholy decisions” he had been part of while a member of the federal cabinet.

“But they did it without any question and did it professionally,” Mr Vaile said.

“This has reconfirmed the attitude of those overseas to Australia – that we are humble, compassionate, with a deep belief of democracy and upholding this.”