Mowbray Triplets Robert, David and Graham (Bert) interviewed for the documentary "Hell No We Won't Go"

The Mowbray triplets Robert, David and Graham (Bert) grew up in a Methodist family with a strong commitment to social justice. Their father was in an engineering company in the Australian army in Papua New Guinea in the Second World War. Their father and mother developed an intense dislike of war and became strong advocates of peace in the Methodist church. In 1967 the triplets made known to the Minister for Labour and National Service their refusal to register for conscription. For this reason, they were automatically deemed liable for conscription although their birth date was not drawn in the ballot. They became active in anti-conscription activities and in supporting Conscientious Objectors and Non-Compliers. In October 1967, the triplets made a public statement of their position before the NSW Methodist Conference, which supported their stand and carried resolutions in opposition to conscription and the Vietnam war. In 1969 they were each gaoled for 7 days for refusal to attend a medical examination but in 1971 were 'deemed' to be conscientious objectors on the initiative of the Minister thus ceasing to be non-compliers. Robert is a social worker with a PhD in housing policy. Along with others he established the Tenants’ Union of NSW in 1976. He has been active in that organisation ever since, with a life-long involvement in the struggle for tenants’ rights. David obtained a PhD on the ecological effects of pesticides at Sydney University, and then worked as an academic, researcher, writer with professional and volunteer involvements in environmental issues, primarily at the University of Papua New Guinea (where he is now a professor in Environmental Science and Sustainable Development), Bert obtained qualifications in agriculture, agricultural economics and law and ultimately pursued a legal career, principally in public and administrative law, including as a Federal Magistrate and Member of the Administrative Appeal Tribunal. (Description provided by interviewees).