Commemorating the End of the Vietnam War

Tomorrow marks 50 years since the 1973 proclamation of the end of Australian involvement in the Vietnam War. 

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said 11 January also marks the beginning of the official Vietnam 50 commemorations for 2023. “More than 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam, over 3,000 were wounded and 523 lost their lives in the longest conflict Australia was involved in during the 20th Century,” Minister Keogh said. “This was a war that was at times contentious at home, and for some veterans their service not recognised as it should have been.

“In December we marked the 50th anniversary of the Whitlam Labor Government’s end to the last National Service scheme in Australia and the anniversary of the withdrawal of the Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam. “The Australian Government is honouring those who served, and throughout this commemorative year will specifically recognise and honour the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans and their families,” Minister Keogh said. 

All Vietnam Veterans and National Servicemen, even if they were not deployed, are eligible to claim through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and entitled to a White Card that includes mental health support. DVA will recognise this significant anniversary through a broad awareness campaign throughout 2023 including a documentary series to be screened on the ABC, and providing historical and educational resources to schools, ex-service organisations and community groups. This will culminate in a national commemorative service on Vietnam Veterans’ Day, 18 August 2023, in Canberra, recognising the service of all Australians who served in the Vietnam War and honouring the sacrifices that they and their families made. 

For more information about acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, visit the DVA website: http://www.dva.gov.au/VietnamCommemorativeService

Photo acknowledgement: Australian War Memorial

3 February 2023: Our Next Happy Hour!

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Meals on the first Friday of the month ---- 

Our sub-branch will be taking a break until 3 February 2023 when we will open for our Friday night Happy Hour at 5 pm with a meal available.

Members of the management committee will still be available if you need to contact us urgently. If you can't find one of us, please try another. We're here to help if you need us.

You'll see from the previous post that there is a couple of new members in the Management Committee and a new treasurer.

We hope you have an enjoyable, happy and safe Christmas-New Year break and look forward to seeing you back at The Hut in the new year.

AGM Feedback

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Meals on the first Friday of the month ----

Although the writer couldn't attend the AGM this year due to an alternative interstate engagement, feedback from those who attended on 27th November suggest it was another successful event with a nice dinner beforehand at the Tanunda Clubhouse.

At AGMs the major activity is to appoint new Executive and Committee officeholders and to accept the Treasurer's end-of-year financial report.

Executive members may be elected for two years and Committee members for one year.

At this AGM RSL SA/NT President, Cheryl Cates attended and presented President Trevor Klose with a much-deserved Life Membership award recognizing Trevor for his lengthy service and commitment to the RSL and its objectives.

Trevor was reelected President, Elliott Nuttall, Vice President, and Dawn Klose, Secretary. Christina Henry (who was absent), stood down as Treasurer and David Babbage was elected to fill that position.

Paul Fernandez stood down as a Committee Member and the following people were elected to fill Committee positions: Erica Babbage (new), Christina Henry, Robin Henry, Charmane Klose, Susan Riebke, Denis Tompkins (new), and Jan Tompkins. A motion was passed to invite Patsy Biscoe to join the Committee and that is a work in progress.

The meeting was advised of the demise of our member Joy Price-Beck the day before the AGM. Joy was a popular, frequent attendee at the Hut and will be missed by all of us who knew her.

The necessity to recruit members was mentioned before the meeting closed as we are all aware that we need to recruit younger members who will take our sub-branch forward.

Copies of the Minutes of Meeting will be distributed to all financial members.

You can find contact details for Executive Members here or by clicking the Contacts link above.

Last Hut Happy Hour for 2022

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Meals on the first Friday of the month ---- 

Friday, 9 December 22 is the last time our Hut will be open for Happy Hour this year. 

We will open again in February, so we hope you will join us for this last opening.

Fair Treatment for Special Forces Soldiers

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