AN exhibition commemorating 75 years since the introduction of the national service in Australia has been unveiled at the Bendigo Military Museum in Pall Mall.<\/p>\n
The national service was a form of compulsory military training for young men, first introduced between 1951 and 1959, and then controversially reinstated in 1964 as Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War escalated.<\/p>\n
During the initial scheme, more than 500,000 men were registered across 52 intakes, with about 227,000 men completing training.<\/p>\n
The exhibition, entitled Nasho ’57: 98 Days at Pucka, focuses on one specific intake that underwent training at Puckapunyal, an army base about 45 minutes south-east of Bendigo.<\/p>\n
At the heart of the exhibition is a collection of photos taken by Robert Lennox Suggett, who was a ‘Nasho’ \u2013 the colloquial term for a national serviceman \u2013 in his early 20s.<\/p>\n
Suggett later became a prolific photographer and cinematographer in the 1960s and 70s, and his work offers an intimate window into the lived experience of national service.<\/p>\n
Museum curator Dell Winser said Suggett’s images bring the Nasho era vividly to life and capture a lesser-explored chapter of Australia’s military history.<\/p>\n
“Many never saw combat, but their experiences shaped a generation, fostering mateship, resilience and a quiet sense of duty that continued long after they hung up their uniforms,” she said.<\/p>\n
“There’s a sensitivity in his artistic approach that reflects not only lived experience, but also almost 60 years of reflection on what service means in times of peace.”<\/p>\n
Ms Winser described the works as layered, thoughtful and evocative.<\/p>\n
“Each piece tells a story, encourages reflection and invites empathy,” she said.<\/p>\n
“While Robert is no longer with us, his work continues to speak powerfully about youth, resilience and the everyday humanity of service.<\/p>\n
“This exhibition reminds us that military history is not only about the frontlines, it’s about the people, the personal transitions and the memories that linger.”<\/p>\n
Nasho ’57: 98 Days at Pucka continues until Sunday 26 July at the Bendigo Military Museum.<\/p>\n
The museum is open every Wednesday and all weekends from 11am to 3pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AN exhibition commemorating 75 years since the introduction of the national service in Australia has been unveiled at the Bendigo Military Museum in Pall Mall. The national service was a form of compulsory military training for young men, first introduced between 1951 and 1959, and then controversially reinstated in 1964 as Australia’s involvement in the […]<\/p>\n