Unveil a plaque and lay a wreath for the National Servicemen’s Association

Representing the Premier of Queensland and Minister for Veterans, Minister for Customer Services and Open Data & Minster for Small and Family Business, the Honourable Steve Minnikin MP; representing the Federal Minister for Veterans & Minister for Defence Personnel, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Federal Member for Oxley, the Honourable Milton Dick MP; representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor for Jamboree Ward, Councillor Sarah Hutton; Senator for Queensland, Senator Paul Scarr; Commanding Officer of the 25th/49th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Perriman and Australian Defence Force personnel; National Servicemen’s Association Queensland President, Mr Tony Stevenson OAM; Nashos; distinguished guests.

I begin by also acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this afternoon.

As Governor and Honorary Colonel of the Royal Queensland Regiment, and as the proud daughter of a navigator who served in the Royal Air Force immediately following the Second World War, it is an honour to join you today for this special commemoration.

As today’s event coincides with the 75th anniversary of National Service in Australia, it also provides us with an opportunity to honour the service and sacrifice of all National Servicemen who answered Australia’s call to serve in the two decades from 1951.

My husband Graeme and I have strong personal ties to–– and a deep respect for––the Australian Defence Force and its members. Graeme served in the Australian Army Active Reserve for 17 years, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and served a further 17 years on the Standby Reserve. Our daughter is currently a reservist in the Australian Army.

Queensland has a long-standing history of honouring important military milestones.

Last August, we were honoured to attend commemorative events in Townsville marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific. We also hosted a reception at Government House for senior leaders involved in the strategically significant Talisman Sabre exercises.

In November, we were present for the visit to Gallipoli Barracks of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, to mark the centenary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, of which she is Colonel-in-Chief.

This year also marks several historic milestones for the Australian Defence Force.

Last month we attended an event in Brisbane to recognise the 125th anniversary of the Australian Army. The Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Airforce are also respectively celebrating their own 125 and 105 years of service.

This 75th anniversary of National Service marks an important chapter in the lives of a significant number of Australians.  More than 280,000 young Australian men were conscripted into our armed forces through two separate schemes between 1951 and 1972.

My predecessor, the Honourable Paul de Jersey, visited this precinct on National Service Day on the 14th of February in 2019 to unveil a memorial to honour the 22 local Nashos who died while serving under the National Service Training Scheme[1] which ran from 1951 to 1959.

In the second National Service Scheme, which ran between 1965 and 1972, more than 63,000 young men were conscripted to become an integral part of our Armed Forces.

Today we gather to remember and honour 33 Queensland National Servicemen who died in Australia while completing their Army service obligations under that second National Service Scheme. This memorial plaque, which I have the honour of unveiling shortly, will serve as a permanent reminder of those remarkable young men who rendered their service in good faith to our nation.

As Governor, I offer my heartfelt thanks to all of Australia’s National Servicemen who served our nation with courage and distinction. And I acknowledge the families and loved ones of our veterans for the many sacrifices that they too made along the way.

On behalf of all Queenslanders, I thank the National Servicemen’s Association for providing enduring support and important connections for its members, and for championing the need for memorials like this one which mark an important and challenging chapter in our nation’s history.

 

May this plaque serve as a lasting reminder to honour the legacy of these 33 young men who served under the banner of National Service, and who made vital contributions to the defence of our nation.

Lest we forget.

 

 

[1] There were 2 waves of conscription: the National Service Training Scheme 1951-1959; and the National Service Scheme 1965 to 1972. The event on 14 March 2026 commemorates the latter.