50c 2011 National Service 60th Carded UNC

This coin was issued to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of National Service in Australia.

National Service reinstated conscription in two schemes between 1951 and 1972 to address threats against Australia's national security at a time when there was insufficient voluntary recruitment to the Armed Forces to meet requirements.

Under the National Service Act 1951 all young men turning 18 on or after 1 November 1950 were required to undertake 176 days of standard recruitment training in the Navy Army or Air Force followed by five years in their respective Reserves. Between 1851 and 1972 a total of 287 000 young Australian men were called up in two separate schemes for compulsory training. Of them 212 died on active service in Borneo and Vietnam.

National Service was a part of Australia's defense preparedness for three decades. Drawn from the across the entire community many ex-servicemen are well known in Australia.

On Wednesday 8 September 2010 a newly constructed National Service Memorial was dedicated at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. This coin recognises the vital role and contribution made by National Servicemen in Australia's history at the time of dedication of the new memorial.

The coin's reverse design shows an aerial view of the memorial with design elements representing the Army Air Force and Navy. This coin is encapsulated on an official Royal Australian Mint presentation card.