Between 1965 & 1972, twenty-year-old Australian males had to register for National Service. The ballot was held twice a year and the marbles, which bear numbers that represented birth dates, were used in a barrel to determine who would be called up. Each numbered marble represented two birthdates. Men born on the dates of the numbers drawn were thereby called up for National Service. National Service was a hotly debated issue. These ballot balls were the items at the centre of the argument. The peace movement in Australia was opposed not only to Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, but also to conscription of young men into National Service.The marbles are made of wood that have numbers on them. vietnam ballots, national service scheme, marbles, conscription, birthday ballot, nasho

Standard document sent to young Australian men registered for National Service during the conscription process for the conflict in Vietnam if they were selected/called-up but had their service deferred.Small card advising of indefinite deferment.Commonwealth of Australia/Department of Labour and National Service certificate of deferment, vietnam, john malicki, national service, conscription, defer, nashos, birthday ballot

Standard document sent to young Australian men registered for National Service during the conscription process for the conflict in Vietnam, 1965-1972.Certificate of Registration for National Service for Mr J Malicki. This is on a cream card.Commonwealth of Australia/National Service Act 1961 - 1978certificate of registration, national service, john malicki, conscription, nasho, malicki, ballot, birthday ballot

Standard issue item as used by Commonwealth Government notifying when a young man was selected in the Conscription Ballot for service during the Vietnam conflict.Small buff coloured card printed on both sides in black with typed name and address added.Refer imagenational service registration, ir mckenzie, conscription, nasho, national service, birthday ballot

This item was donated by Private Richard Keith Vines (3788474) who was a National Serviceman and was with the Royal Australian infantry Corps. He served in Vietnam with the 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment from November 1969 to November 1970.Department of Labour and National Service Call-Up Notice, registration No: 2001238 for Mr. Richard Keith Vines dated 24 Mar 1966 and signed by H.A. Bland dated this Twenty Fifth day of March 1966pte richard keith vines, 3788474, australian national serviceman, royal australian infantry corps, 8th battalion, the royal australian regiment, department of labour and national service, call-up notice, national service, conscription, birthday ballot

This item was donated by Private Richard Keith Vines (3788474) who was a National Serviceman and was with the Royal Australian infantry Corps. He served in Vietnam with the 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment from November 1969 to November 1970.A Copy of Department of Labour and National Service Letter for Mr. Richard Keith Vines, Registration No: 2001238 dated 3 Mar 1966 advising him that he will commence his National Service on the 18th April 1966.pte richard keith vines, 3788474, australian national serviceman, royal australian infantry corps, 8th battalion, the royal australian regiment, department of labour and national service, national service, conscription, birthday ballot

Standard military item issued to Pte Allen Doran Lette, Service No. 3795490, of the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps at the completion of his service. Pte Lette was conscripted to serve in Vietnam by the Birthday Ballot, which determined which young Australian men were called-up for National Service.Certificate of Discharge folder containing discharge information.Certificate of Discharge/Australian Military Forces Emblemlette, ordnance corps, 3795490, vietnam, discharge, certificate

These are the personal reflections of National Serviceman Robert John Williams on the process of being conscripted. He served in Detachment, 1st Forward Delivery Troop from 18 Jun 1969 -21 Jul 1969, B Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment from 22 Jul 1969-22 Dec 1969, and A Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment from 23 Dec 1969-18 Mar 1970. His brother had also been conscripted, serving in 1966-8. Six-page hand-written letter in blue ink, titled "to Whom It May Concern' written by Robert John Williams that describes what happened to him when he turned 20 and had to register for National Service. He gives an unusual and unverified description of the actual draws, claiming that the ballot balls were 6 different colours representing 2 dates = 12 months, but draws were only of birthdays within 6 months.australian national serviceman, ballot box, trooper robert john williams, 3793407, royal australian armoured corps, 1st forward delivery troop, b squadron, 1st armoured regiment, a squadron, trooper, conscription, nasho, national service