GOUDIE, Gavin David

Family Name:

Goudie

Given Names:

Gavin David

Gender:

Male

Birth-date:

Probably 1948

Death-date:

Unknown

Marital Status:

Unknown, probably Single

Age/ Age Range:

20 years old

Location:

NSW, Moama

Occupation:

Welder

Primary Motivation:

Conscientious Objector, Pacifism Religious

Reason for Court Appearance:

[a] Application for full exemption from military duties
[b] Appealed decision to not grant full exemption from military duties
[c] Second application for full exemption from military duties

Court Name and Location:

[a] Court of Petty Sessions, Melbourne
[b] County Court, Melbourne
[c] Court of Pety Sessions, Melbourne

Court Hearing Date:

[a] 30 May 1968
[b] 16 September 1968
[c] 4 December 1969

Court Outcome:

[a] Application for full exemption from military duties was not granted
[b] Appeal against the decision to not grant full exemption from military duties was dismissed
[c] Granted full exemption from military duties

Military Event:

National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972

Further Information:

Gavin Goudie was a twenty-year-old from Moama in New South Wales, He was a welder by trade. He made application for full exemption from military duties, and this was heard by Magistrate WM Murray at the Court of Petty sessions in Melbourne on 30 May 1968. Gavin informed the court that his opposition to war was based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. The magistrate did not grant him an exemption. Gavin appealed the decision, and it was heard by Judge Hewitt of the County Court in Melbourne on 16 September 1968. Again, Gavin informed the court he belonged to a small undenominational Christian sect and that he objected to all war and violence. Moreover, his beliefs did not allow him to attend dances or sports meetings. He read the bible daily and attended religious meetings twice a week. He stated that pacifism was not a tenet of his sect. It told the judge that he came to his anti-war beliefs at 14 years of age when an itinerant preacher held a series of meetings in the town. During the hearing Gavin was verbally attacked by the representative of the Minister for Labour and National Service, Mr Nettlefold. He accused Gavin of selfishness in accepting the benefits provided by the Government such as freedom of worship and yet not being prepared to serve his country in return. Judge Hewitt commented that Gavin’s religious views are plainly wrong but may still give rise to a conscientious objection. He stated it was up to the applicant to convince of that. He did not and the Judge dismissed Gavin’s appeal. Gavin made a second application for full exemption from military duties, and this was heard by Magistrate R Kelly in the Court of Petty Sessions in Melbourne on 4 December 1969. The magistrate granted Gavin full exemption from military duties as a conscientious objector.

Confirmatory Sources:Peacemaker, May/ June 1968, p.3; September/ October 1968, p3; January/ February, p.3.; Bobbie Oliver, Lest We Forget, p98.