Service honours grit, heroism and camaraderie

A MEMORIAL service last weekend honoured Ballarat’s servicepeople of the Vietnam War ahead of the annual Vietnam Veterans Day on 18 August.

Ballarat Grammar student and junior Legatee Taylah Redgewell presented a poem and laid a wreath on behalf of her school.

Hosted by the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Ballarat Sub-Branch, a COVID safe crowd gathered at the South-East Asia Memorial on Sturt and Dawson streets on Sunday morning to pay their respects.

Commanding officer of the Ballarat-based 8/7 Royal Victorian Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Shaun Richards spoke, alongside VVAA Ballarat president Eric Duggan, City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney, Ballarat Grammar student Taylah Redgewell, and Reverend John Furness.

Mr Duggan said he was grateful to the City of Ballarat for their support in facilitating the service in 2021, the 55th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, after the pandemic stopped last year’s local event from going ahead.

“This week’s service at The Shrine in Melbourne has been cancelled, so we really wanted to make sure we could get together here,” he said.

“The council and the weather have really looked after us.”

Originally named Long Tan Day, Bob Hawke declared 18 August to be the official day of all Vietnam veterans in 1987, after Sydney’s ‘welcome home’ parade.

Commanding officer of the Ballarat-based 8/7 Royal Victorian Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Shaun Richards spoke before laying a floral tribute.

“During The Battle of Long Tan, 17 Australians were killed, and a further 25 were wounded, one of which later died of his wounds,” Cr Moloney said.

“This was the highest number of Australian casualties incurred in one engagement of the Vietnam War. Many have said this was one of, if not the fiercest and most extraordinary battles of the campaign.

“Five hundred and twenty-one Australian Defence Force personnel died at war, and thousands more were wounded. Around Australia, servicepeople recall their grit, determination, heroism and camaraderie in the face of battle, all their mates, and their love of the country.”

A year 11 pupil, Taylah Redgewell not only spoke on behalf of Ballarat Grammar, but Legacy Ballarat.

“My father died in 2015, so I’m a junior Legatee. I’m grateful to Legacy for the opportunities they give us,” she said.

Floral tributes and wreaths were laid by community members. Ballarat City Brass Band accompanied proceedings.