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PADRE'S CORNER: The recent discovery of the wreck of HMAS Sydney off theWestern Australian coast has resolved a 66 year mystery. After decades ofspasmodic search attempts there was a well resourced search that brought theresult that we all wanted. It was 19 November 1941 when HMAS Sydneydisappeared with all 645 crew after an engagement with the German raider,Kormorant. One of them was my cousin, Able Seaman George Nelson Tatters(left). He was born in 1922 and at the age of 4 departed from London for Brisbane.He, with thousands of Australians, paid the ultimate cost for this country... lost atsea but never forgotten. War is tragic and in these days of uncertainty we must alsobe prepared and be supportive of each other. We will remember during thisChristmas all those in the armed forces serving in dangerous places. We think ofthe many families that are left behind - the children, the parents and their lovedones. Our prayers go to each one of them. Christmas is not only good will to eachother but also the help for the many families who will be in great need this year.We must never refrain from this process to our fellow man. Christmas isremembering the birth of the Son of God and the gifts become symbolic of the giftof God's love. Christmas is not a myth nor is it a tradition but a glorious reality.From the manger came a man who not only taught us a new way of life but broughtus into a new relationship with our Creator. To all our National Servicemen andfamilies, we wish all good health with God's richest blessing for this comingChristmas. Captain John Tatters, State Chaplain 3204 5985LAST POST1/707101 Cosmo Eddie Wacol 3rd Intake 19532137410 Egan Terence DCM Australian Army Training TeamVietnam/Padre Toowoomba Branch1/711644 Fisher Ross Wacol 2nd Intake 19541/712672 Griffiths Robert Wacol 2nd Intake 19541/704803 Hartland Graeme Wacol 3rd Intake 1952A116862 Miller Quentin Robert Amberley 1st Intake 1957THEY SERVED AUSTRALIAFrom the Editors Allen and Fred: We would like to thank the Branches andmembers for their contributions throughout the year and we look forward to yourinput next year. In the meantime have a very happy Christmas and a prosperousNew Year.THE FUTURE OF THE NSAAThe National Servicemen's Association of Australia will make an Australia-wide drive to attract 1960s Nashosto ensure the Association's continues.The recruiting drive will concentrate on the socalled'Lost Legion' of 50,000 NationalServicemen who served in Malaysia, Papua-New Guinea and Australia and the 35,000 whotook the CMF alternative of six year's service.The recruiting campaign will be part of theprogram discussed by the National Council tosecure the Association's future. (At left, BarryVicary founder of the NSAA in November1987)OPTIONSIn a special forum conducted by theNational Secretary, Noel Moulder and theNational Executive, all States were invitedto put forward ideas for future directions.Four main options emerged:* Disbanding the Association followingcompletion of the National Memorial in 2010* A merger with other organisations such as theRSL* Formation of a new peak body with kindredAssociations under a new name such as theNational Services Association* A campaign to attract the so-called 'LostLegion' of 1960s Nashos for whom the NSAAoriginally was founded.It quickly emerged that the first three had littleor no support. Queensland made it clear itwould not support any name change.In canvassing the options, the NationalExecutive pointed out that without new members the NSAA would cease to exist as time took its toll of 1950sNashos.However, there is an untapped potential of almost 50,000 National Servicemen from the Vietnam-era and another35,000 who took the CMF alternative now reaching retirement age and beginning to join organisations.Queensland illustrates the potential with all four types of Nashos on its State Management Committee - 1950s,Vietnam veteran, non-Vietnam and CMF alternate.THE LOST LEGIONOf all Nashos, those called up in the 1960s but who did not serve in Borneo or Vietnam got the rawest deal.Rotation to active service was as much a lottery as their call-up because out of the nine Battalions only one or twoat the most served in a war zone at any one time. They trained for combat but were not required except in supportroles. They did that with distinction in Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and in Australia in a wide variety of Corps.They had a two-year interruption to their jobs, careers and personal lives but got nothing for it - no medal, noveterans' benefits, and no recognition. What they did share with their veteran colleagues was the derision and beingspat on in the streets as 'oppressors' and 'baby killers' by members of the Left in Australia who had campaigned forthe Communist invasion and oppression of democratic South Vietnam.This is the main reason why they have not joined any organisations.PAGE 16 PAGE 1