War Memorials and Jeff Morgan Gallery - Hawker: Keith remembers our servicepeople especially those from Veitnam - Adelaide City and Outback South Australian regions
The National War Memorial on North Terrace is the focal point for remembering the sacrifice of the men and women who lost their lives in times of war.
'All honour give to those who nobly striving nobly fell that we might live' reads the monument. Those words, carved of Macclesfield marble were unveiled in 1931 to remember the terrible days of World War One. That was supposed to be the 'war to end all wars' but obviously it didn't pan out that way though.
2011 also marks the 60th anniversary of the National Servicemen's Association. They're the blokes who were called up in two separate schemes of compulsory training. The first draft operated between 1951 and 1959 when all men aged 18 received their call-up letter. Nearly a quarter of a million Aussies served their time - including SA Association President, Graham Wilson.
Graham Wilson, National Servicemen's Assoc.: "In the first scheme you received a letter saying 'you will report to such and such.' When I saw it I said …. But I knew I had to do it so I went along with it."
The South Australians drafted into the army did their training at Woodside - and then spent 5 years in the reserves.
Graham Wilson, National Servicemen's Assoc.: "The amusing part of that first day was you went to the store and to be issued with your gear it didn't matter if you were 6 foot or 5 foot - you got the size that the bloke thought you were and in a lot of cases they were exchanged in the huts later."
Few of that intake saw active service, but that changed in the second call-up. Between 1965 and 1972, the dreaded ballot was introduced and 64,000 20 years olds found themselves drafted into the army for 2 years.
The beauty of the Flinders Ranges is a long way from the rice fields of Vietnam - but that's where we find Hawker artist, Jeff Morgan. He's best known for his sprawling panoramas of the Flinders but as Lisa discovered on recent visit to his Hawker gallery, Jeff's now turning his meticulous artist gaze to a very different landscape.
Jeff Morgan, Artist: "As an artist you never really achieve what you are after so if you get close to it you need to push the boundaries out a bit further."
The Vietnam War was shrouded in controversy and the men who fought for our lucky country became the targets back home so Jeff is trying to make amends the best way he knows how.
Jeff Morgan, Artist: "These guys didn't ask to go to Vietnam, they were conscripted and a lot of them came back and they got spat at and called murderers. They must have played back a terrible thing for them, always felt that injustice towards them."
It's their stories that Jeff is now committing to canvas with the consent of the local blokes who were called up.
Jeff Morgan, Artist: "This is a photo Mick Prior taken out the front of his tank. This is this barrel of his tank, as he went across his pontoon."
Ron McInnis, Vietnam Vet: "It's the only lottery I have ever won, it was a trip overseas."
While the images of war are still very real, thankfully many of those difficult memories have now taken a back seat.
Mick Prior, Vietnam Vet: "It's one of those things that we go to a reunion and they talk about something and I say well I couldn't have been there and they say yes you were. I have no recollection - I just shut it out."
Ron McInnis, Vietnam Vet: "We sort of didn't have any say whether we went or stayed home really so we went and did what we had to do and now we are forty years on down the track."
While Ron and Mick didn't serve in Vietnam at the same time, they're the first to admit they did share a life-changing experience.
Ron McInnis, Vietnam Vet: "Oh, it was an experience wasn't it? To look at those photos and see it all, yeah."
Jeff Morgan, Artist: "It frightens me a little bit. The guys come and tell you about things and their wives say they've had two nights of really bad nightmares and you think 'what am I doing?' But then they come up to you and clasp you with both hands and say thanks for doing this and the tears swell up in their eyes and you think I'll keep going."
210 Australian nashos lost their lives in that war. And now, at last there is a Vietnam War Memorial on the Torrens Parade Ground which commemorates the servicemen of South Australia, the Vietnamese Arm Forces and the civilians who lost their lives there. This Friday is the 11th of the 11th - Remembrance Day when we remember all of the fallen in all wars.
Of course the National Servicemen's Association will be well represented. They also get together every Friday at their headquarters at 41 Surrey Road in Keswick. Contact 8293 6344 for more details.
Jeff Morgan's tributes on canvas - and his signature Flinders Ranges panoramas are on display at his gallery at 61 Cradock Road in Hawker. That's right in the centre of town. More ?'s email info@postcards-sa.com.au
National Servicemen's Assoc
41 Surrey Rd
Keswick
Ph 8293 6344Jeff Morgan Gallery
61 Cradock Rd
Hawker
Ph 8648 4299
Open DailyPublished 6th November 2011
