Issue 99 - Nasho Front Page

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
There have been two major developments that will secure the future of the Queensland Branch
of the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia.
The first is that after a period of tight finances, we have turned the corner and are on a sound footing
again.
The second is that the future of the National Service Heritage Precinct at Wacol has been guaranteed
by Metroplex.
FINANCES
Our income had been strained by the loss on the second concert at the 20th anniversary celebrations
in Toowoomba in 2007 but we’ve now recovered fully and we’re in the black.
We’ve made economies to make sure we stay that way including making Nasho News four issues a
year and reducing other costs.
After lengthy delays due to court actions brought by the opponents of the development of the former
Wacol Army Camp, the developers, Metroplex, now have begun planning for the start of work once
they receive final approvals from the Brisbane City Council. That will be 18 months to three years
but in a meeting with the State Management Committee on 1 February, Metroplex guaranteed it
would meet all its commitments to the Association including a grant of $150,000 to cover what
we’ve already outlaid on the Precinct. You can see the full details in the next story in this issue.
BRANCHES
As your President I’ve travelled extensively around Queensland meeting Branches and you,
our members, to tell you what the SMC is doing and to hear what you want.
Two branches - Gold Coast North and Townsville – applied to hold the State Conference/Reunion
in 2011. Townsville Branch was selected as it will coincide with the 60th anniversary of the first
National Servicemen marching into the Garbutt RAAF Base in Townsville in July 1951. More
information will be supplied in future Nasho News editions.
The other big event this year will be the dedication of the National Service Memorial at the
Australian War Memorial in Canberra by the Governor-General on Wednesday, 8 September.
The Association is searching for the relatives of the 212 Nashos who died on active service in
Borneo and Vietnam. If you have a family in your Branch area, please let the Editor, Allen
Callaghan; know so they can be contacted.
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