The Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal was introduced in 2001 to recognise those who completed their obligation under the 2 National Service schemes that had operated in Australia between 1951 and 1972.
Eligibility for the medal is dependent upon a person's obligation to serve and upon this obligation being fulfilled under the National Service Act 1951 (as amended). Additionally, the member must not have been discharged for disciplinary reasons. Women were not conscripted under the National Service Act.
Design
The medal is bronze with the obverse having a central device derived from the current Australian Defence Force emblem reflecting national service as it related to the defence force during the 1950s and 1960s. The crossed swords of the Army take precedence, being the arm predominantly affected by national service. Surrounding the outer edge are the words ‘Anniversary of National Service’ and at the central bottom edge the years ‘1951-1972’.
The reverse bears a central device of lines radiating from a nucleus, over-layered with the stars of the Southern Cross. This represents national service being influential in the machinery of the defence force during a time of need and its broad impact in Australia. Surrounding the central device is a cog, the traditional symbol representing the spirit of cooperation between the Australian Defence Force and the Australian community, thus recognising those who accepted the obligation to serve as part of national service.
The ribbon has a central yellow stripe, flanked by two dark blue stripes that represent Australia's national colours of the time. These are flanked by white, green and light blue stripes and ochre edges to represent the Navy, Army and Air Force. The outer ochre stripes represent the soil of Australia.
Source documents
Regulations (Gazette S483) 7 December 2001 (PDF, 405.75 KB)
Declaration and Determination (Gazette S409) 2002 (PDF, 120.48 KB)