Service, Spirit, and the Red and Blue

Peter Nash is a proud Portarlington local who has spent the majority of his life in the coastal town. It’s where he raised his children, worked locally shearing sheep, and took up work as a fencing contractor. He’s never had much reason to leave, and to this day, still calls Portarlington home. 

However, in 1965, Peter did leave for a very different reason. He was called up for National Service and served in Vietnam for two years. Like many young Australians of his generation, Peter answered the call to serve his country during a turbulent period in history.

While Peter acknowledges that chapter of his life, he prefers to focus on the mateship that emerged from it, the lifelong friends he made, and sadly, the ones he lost. Many of his fellow servicemen now live interstate, with Peter being the only member of his battalion still residing in Victoria. Their regular reunions have become harder to organise as the group grows older, so phone calls have become their main way of staying in touch.

ANZAC Day, for Peter, is a time to remember, not only what happened, but also what never did. Like many who served, it took time for him to embrace the significance of the day. For Peter, it wasn’t until recent years that Anzac Day played a pivotal role in his life. He stayed in his “cocoon” for a fair few years, and didn't want to get involved in the day’s events. This changed around 15 years ago where Peter come out of his shell, and started to get involved, marching each year with family and others in the community. 

Peter is no stranger to the football field. A proud Portarlington Demon, he debuted in the Seniors in 1961 as a ruckman. Though he jokes that with today’s taller players, he’d probably have to line up as a half-forward flanker instead. He played for eight or nine years, though he lost two seasons to his National Service. While he never played football on Anzac Day himself, Peter has always supported matches held on the day. He believes football has played an important role in raising awareness of Anzac Day, particularly among younger generations. He credits clubs for the respectful way they honour the day, participating for the right reasons and helping raise funds for veterans who need support. 

The rivalry between Portarlington and Drysdale is one Peter knows well – it’s a long-standing one that stretches back generations. In fact, even in his own family, the rivalry ran deep: his mother was born in Portarlington and his father in Drysdale. Despite this, Peter never considered playing for anyone other than Portarlington – and certainly not pulling on the brown and gold.

To Peter, the Anzac spirit and football share common values—protecting your teammates and the camaraderie of standing together. But he’s quick to point out that football is not war and should never be compared to it. What he and his mates endured during their service is something he hopes no modern player will ever have to experience. His hope is for younger generations to enjoy the freedom to play the game without ever needing to know the hardship of war.

This Anzac Day, Drysdale will host Portarlington at Drysdale Recreation Reserve. The on-field Anzac Day Ceremony will commence at 1:40pm, followed by the Senior Men’s football match at 2:30pm and A Grade Netball at 2:45pm.