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Dateline - May 23, 2006
 Excellence Rewarded for Children of Vietnam Veterans in Victoria

    


Five university and TAFE students in Victoria, the children of Australian veterans of the Vietnam War, have received bursaries from the Australian Government to support them with their studies in 2006, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Bruce Billson, announced today.
"Each year, the Long Tan Bursaries are awarded to tertiary students with a parent who served in the Vietnam War and who have achieved academically and overcome challenges to successfully complete their secondary education," Mr Billson said.

This year, Long Tan Bursaries worth $6000 each have been awarded to 31 students across Australia, including five* from Victoria:

    
 

~ Stephanie Barker, Kinglake, Bachelor of Behavioural Science, La Trobe University;
~ Amy Christensen, Lang Lang, Bachelor of Visual Arts, Monash University;
~ Marni Frederiksen, Wyndhamvale, Certificate III in Child Services, Victoria University; and
~ Eleanore Sim, Sunbury, Bachelor of Behavioural Science, La Trobe University.
"These students have demonstrated an impressive tenacity to achieve and a commitment to excellence and I wish them well in all their future endeavours," Mr Billson said.

"Even more Victorian students will be eligible for the Long Tan Bursaries in 2007 after the Federal Government announced an additional 20 bursaries nationally as part of its 2006-07 Budget. "Increased Budget funding to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan will provide 50 bursaries annually from next year, worth $9000 each over three years.

"The Long Tan Bursaries were named in honour of the brave Australians who fought in the Battle of Long Tan on18 August 1966, when 150 determined and courageous Australian soldiers overwhelmed an enemy of up to 2500 troops in a rubber plantation north of the village of Long Tan.

"The Australian Government, through the Department of Veterans' Affairs, is committed to honouring and remembering the great sacrifice made by our Vietnam Veterans and the Long Tan bursaries are part of this important remembrance," Mr Billson said.