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NEWS |
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Dateline
- August 14th, 2006
DVA doles it out for Vietnam Commemorations
in Victoria
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The Australian Government
has provided an additional 11 grants totalling $23,591 to help
the Victorian veteran community commemorate the 40th anniversary
of the Battle of Long Tan, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs,
Bruce Billson, announced today. Mr
Billson said the funding was being used for projects that honour
and remember the service and sacrifice of Australia's servicemen
and women in Vietnam.
"The Australian
Government committed $4.5 million in the 2006-07 Federal Budget
to commemorate Australian service in Vietnam and the 40th anniversary
this year of the Battle of Long Tan - arguably the best-known
Australian action during the Vietnam War," he said. "On
18 August 1966, Australian soldiers from D Company 6th Battalion,
The Royal Australian Regiment, encountered an enemy force of
more than 2500 in a rubber plantation north of the village of
Long Tan. Although heavily outnumbered, the Australians held
firm with a remarkable display of courage and determination
until a relief force arrived.
"This anniversary provides us with an opportunity to recognise
and commemorate the service of all Australian servicemen and
women in Vietnam," he said. The Minister said part of the
Budget commitment had been set aside for grants to fund major
commemorative activities throughout Australia.
Other initiatives funded by the Government include:
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a commemorative service at the Australian Vietnam Forces National
Memorial and a concert at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra;
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developing
an online nominal roll of Vietnam veterans and establishing a
website focusing on Australia's involvement in Vietnam and other
South-East Asian conflicts;
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grants
for museums that record Australia's experiences in Vietnam; and
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expanding
the Long Tan Bursary Scheme from 30 $6000 bursaries to 50 $9000
bursaries paid as $3000 a year for three years.
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Mr
Billson said the Australian Government had consulted Vietnam veteran
organisations in developing this range of initiatives and would
continue to work with them in the implementation to ensure their
great service and sacrifice was acknowledged.
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Saluting
Their Service Grants
Grants for activities to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of
the
Battle of Long Tan
Victoria
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The
Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, Warrnambool Sub-branch,
will receive a grant of $1250 to provide transport for Vietnam
veterans attending a commemorative service at the Shrine of Remembrance
in Melbourne on 18 August 2006. |
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The
Moe RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2800 to hold a memorial
service and luncheon at the Moe RSL Club on 18 August 2006 |
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The
Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, Frankston District
Sub-branch, will receive a grant of $3000 for a commemorative
dinner at the Frankston International Motel. |
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The
Traralgon RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $2,750 to hold
a memorial service at the Traralgon War Memorial on 19 August
2006, and a barbecue at the Traralgon RSL Club on 20 August 2006. |
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The
Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, West Gippsland Sub-branch,
will receive a grant of $3000 to hold a commemorative service
at the Drouin Vietnam Veterans Memorial, followed by a dinner
at the Elizabethan Reception Centre, Warragul, on 19 August 2006 |
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The
Rutherglen RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $3000 to dedicate
a memorial cross to the 18 Australians killed in the Battle of
Long Tan, at a ceremony at the Rutherglen Memorial Gardens on
18 August 2006 |
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Monbulk
Primary School will receive a grant of $3000 to dedicate a memorial
stone with a plaque to all Vietnam veterans and the 40th anniversary
of the Battle of Long Tan. The dedication ceremony will be conducted
in collaboration with the Monbulk RSL |
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The
Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, Box Hill Sub-branch,
will receive a grant of $3000 to hold a commemorative dinner and
dedicate a special 40th anniversary painting at the Box Hill RSL
Club |
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The
Daylesford RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $810 to hold
a commemorative service at the Daylesford Cenotaph, followed by
a lunch at the Daylesford RSL Club, on 18 August 2006 |
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Moira
Shire will receive a grant of $300 to provide transport for Cobram
District veterans attending a commemorative ceremony at the Shrine
of Remembrance in Melbourne on 18 August 2006 |
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The
Croydon RSL Sub-branch will receive a grant of $681 to install
a plaque dedicated to Vietnam veterans in the gardens of the Croydon
RSL Club. |