Dear Scheyvillians,
(resent as change in Datebase link)
We have been invited by the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia (NSAA) National President, Ron Brandy, to join their national body following our post, 1 July 2026 OTU National closure. Our two ex-service organisations, OTU and NSAA, have long maintained cooperative and professional executive relationships over many years. I have represented OTU on the NSAA National Council for fourteen years.
As is the case with our Association, the NSAA will soon be undergoing a substantial transition. From 1 January 2027 it will change from the current structure of branches and States to one of individual membership of a national body.
From that date the arrangement will be straight forward with the current NSAA National Executive undertaking the management function with everyone else becoming individual members. A modest annual fee will fund proposed three annual newsletters and limited administrative costs.
The NSAA National Patron is Mr. Matt Anderson PSM, Director of the Australian War Memorial.
Mr Anderson will facilitate a volunteer group of current, or to be appointed, state and territory-based Patrons or Eminent Persons. They will provide oversite of the NSAA National Management Team, as necessary, on behalf of state and territory-based members.
This structure ensures that former National Servicemen have a national organisation operating in their name on their behalf.
NSAA membership has much to offer. The organisation has worked over the years in creating a sound working relationship with those Federal Government Departments that have a strong involvement in the needs of National Servicemen. The connection with the DVA is a particular case in point. Details of important developments in their field of will be conveyed to the membership through a planned three newsletters each year and national emails. So often are people unaware of new government benefits for which they may have just become eligible. As we age the more important these become.
Membership will, through the Executive and Eminent Persons committee give National Servicemen a valid and credible voice to Federal Government Departments and Agencies.
It will, furthermore, create a sustainable ‘home’ for National Servicemen as members of this nationally recognised and registered organisation.
We are reminded of the welcome input the OTU Association was given by the NSAA into the development of the National Service Memorial adjacent to the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
Furthermore, it was through the NSAA that Crown approval was granted for the Anniversary of National Service Medal which we proudly wear.
We will also be encouraged and very welcome to attend the annual National Service commemorative service at the AWM Canberra.
NSAA Membership Criteria from January 2027
For clarity, the NSAA National Executive and the Council reaffirmed the criteria for an individual to be eligible for membership of the NSAA currently, and after 1 January 2027.
Specifically, all present financial members (2026) of the NSAA Member Associations (NSAA State, Territory and OTU Association) are eligible to transition to NSAA Direct National membership. (Please remember that all OTU Association members, both current and non-current up to 1 July 2026 will be deemed financial after that date).
The fee to cover the first 18 month period up to the end of 2027 has been fixed at a very modest $22.50, which will deliver three newsletters per calendar year as well as the other benefits mentioned above.
An NSAA membership form is attached to this letter and includes subscription payment details. The completed application form can be emailed or posted as outlined in the form.
I invite you to join the NSAA with your fellow Scheyvillians.
https://www.otu.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/National-Servicmens-Association-Membership-Form.pdf
Yours sincerely,
Frank Miller OAM
OTU Association National Past Chairman
and Delegate to the NSAA National Council