The Australian Government had provided a grant of $3000 to help the New South Wales 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 RAAOC Vietnam Reunion will receive a $3000 grant for a dinner it held on 4 November 2006 to commemorate the 40th year since the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps was formed in Vietnam as a standalone unit.

"The Australian Government committed $4.5 million 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," Mr Billson said. "More than $1.5 million in grants have been provided to ex-service and community organisations across Australia for projects that honour and remember the service and sacrifice of Australia's servicemen and women in Vietnam. "This anniversary provided us with an opportunity to recognise and commemorate the service of all Australian servicemen and women in Vietnam," he said.

Other initiatives funded by the Government include:

~ national commemorative services in Canberra;
~ an online nominal roll of Vietnam veterans and a website focusing on Australia's involvement in Vietnam and other South-East Asian conflicts;
~ grants for museums that record Australia's experiences in Vietnam; and
~ expanding the Long Tan Bursary Scheme from 30 $6000 bursaries to 50 $9000 bursaries paid as $3000 a year for three years.

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