Remembering Australia’s Vietnam War

TORQUAY’S little-known but revered Vietnam War memorial will be the centre of attention later this week.

On Wednesday, a Vietnam veterans’ commemoration service will take place at the small memorial between the Surf Coast Shire offices and Surf Coast Secondary College at 10am.

Last year, COVID-19 restrictions did not allow Vietnam veterans or their families to gather to commemorate the Australian Defence Force personnel killed during the 10-year conflict.

“August is special to Vietnam Veterans and their families, and this year is even more special as we are able to gather, within attendance limits and wearing masks, to commemorate together”, Torquay RSL president Bob Tyler said.

“We should never forget what Australians have done in so many conflicts over the years and particularly in Vietnam, which was Australia’s longest war until we became involved in the Afghanistan conflict.

“More than 500 Australians died in Vietnam, and hundreds more have passed on since our men and women returned home physically broken and mentally scarred as a result of their involvement.”

Refreshments will be available at the shire offices following the service.

Vietnam Veterans Day is marked each year on August 18 to coincide with the Battle of Long Tan, a significant moment for Australia during the Vietnam War.

By the end of the battle, fought 55 years ago in a rubber plantation near the village of Long Tan, 17 Australians had been killed in action and 25 were wounded, one of whom died a few days later.

This was the largest number of casualties in a single operation since the Australian Task Force had established its base at nearby Nui Dat the previous April.

“On August 18, 1966, a small group of Australians fought an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers, eventually driving them off after what was one of the bloodiest battles between Australians and the enemy,” Mr Tyler said.

“Long Tan Day has become Australia’s Vietnam Veterans’ Day.”

The Geelong and District sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia cancelled their usual march due to COVID-19 restrictions, and instead held a smaller wreath-laying ceremony yesterday (Sunday, August 15) at the Vietnam War Memorial in North Geelong, followed by lunch at the City of Geelong Bowls Club.

The Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL will mark Vietnam Veterans Day on Wednesday with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Ocean Grove memorial, followed by a get-together at the Ocean Grove Bowling Club at 3.30pm.