The background facts are:

• National servicemen or “Nashos”, most of them 20 years old at the time, boosted the Australian Army by around 30 per cent during the 1960s and ’70s.
• Just over 63,000 were conscripted and of that number, only 15,100 actively served in the Vietnam War, i.e. only about 25 per cent saw combat in Vietnam.
• Unlike the previous universal National Service, the 1965-72 scheme was discriminatory, as only 7 per cent of 20-year-olds during this period were compelled to serve, while the remaining 93 per cent were free to get on with their lives, including progressing their careers.
• “Nashos” were compelled to serve two years of military training and service – in Australia, Borneo, Singapore, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia.
• While most did not see direct military active service, their training was identical to Australia’s regular soldiers – they were trained for war.
• However, unlike, regular soldiers, upon leaving the army, this cohort received patchy forms of resettlement benefits.
• This has led to many “Nashos” feeling they have been not appropriately recognised for the impost on their lives and therefore, forgotten.
• Our main purpose is to support, and advocate for the rights of, the surviving around 30,000 servicemen who were conscripted but did not serve in the Vietnam War.
• Nasho Fair Go is actively expanding its membership as it seeks to ensure that all remaining national servicemen can have fair and reasonable access to government health support and services.