Guest speakers included president of the Albury-Wodonga Veterans’ Association Garry Treeves, Matthew Burke, from the Order of Australian Men, and Commandant of the Albury Military Area, Col. David Shields.

President of the Albury-Wodonga sub-branch of the National Servicemen’s Association Australia, John Bauerle, said the service was an important time to remember more than 200 people who died in Vietnam and Malaya.

However, he said it was just as important for the men who were still alive to remember the time they spent training in national service.

Mr Bauerle believes conscription should be reintroduced to teach young men discipline.

He said the training gave men a sense of patriotic spirit.

“The patriotic spirit is not as strong these days but that is because we are not under threat,” he said.

“Being conscripted certainly does give you a sense of pride in your country.”