Mr Kellett has put out the call for help, seeking new members to help run the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia sub-branch to ensure their legacy and work is maintained.

He said an aging member population meant numbers were dwindling but he was exploring options, based on other ‘Nashos’ models, to prevent the key welfare and support organisation from folding. 

Importantly, Mr Kellett wanted to ensure their history and legacy was maintained.

“Remembrance for us is a big thing,” Mr Kellett said. “I’m fighting like anything to keep the branch alive so people don’t forget our service.”

Mr Kellett’s plea comes as the Ballarat and District sub-branch celebrated its 20^th anniversary with a lunch in the Ballarat Specialist School cafe on Thursday.

Formed with about 150 members, numbers are now about 20 with most members aged in their late 70s and early 80s.

Developed as back-up support to the permanent defence force, Australia’s national service scheme was a product of post-World War II conflicts. About 287,00 young Australians, aged 18, were called up in two separate schemes for compulsory military training between 1951 and 1972.

Mr Kellett said most Nashos members, like himself, were in the first intake, 1951-59. Those in the second intake, 1964-1972, were predominantly called into action in the Vietnam War and so, tended to affiliate more with the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia.

But all still had to train and be prepared.

“It’s 61 years since I did national service and I’m still involved in the association,” Mr Kellett said. “I was sent to Pukapunyal at 18 years and four days old. I was still a boy, I’d barely been away from home. It was a big change.”

The Ballarat sub-branch still actively plays roles, like laying wreaths, for commemorative services like Anzac Day and Vietnam Veterans Day, and in sponsoring cadets and university scholarships.

Past activities have included replanting trees at the Arch of Victory and welfare support for members, but Mr Kellett said this was all tougher to undertake for an aging member population.