|
|
Commemorating 50 years since the Battle of Long Tan
|
|
|
|
The commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Battle
of Long Tan and Australia’s service in the Vietnam War
will be an important event in DVA’s Century of Service
commemoration program for 2016.
Vietnam was Australia’s longest involvement in a
twentieth century war with approximately 60,000
personnel serving over more than a decade.
One of the most significant Australian actions of the
Vietnam War happened on 18 August 1966, when Australian
soldiers fought against a Viet Cong and North Vietnamese
force estimated at more than 2,000 in a rubber
plantation close to the village of Long Tan.
They were supported by Artillery, RAAF Helicopters and
Armoured Personnel Carriers.
Eighteen Australians lost their lives as a result of the
Battle of Long Tan and 24 were wounded. This was the
largest number of casualties sustained in one operation
since the Australian Task Force had arrived in South
Vietnam earlier that year.
In conjunction with ex-service organisations such as the
Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia and others, a
number of commemorative activities to mark the 50th
Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and Australia’s
service in the Vietnam War will be held in Canberra and
Brisbane.
These activities include the following public events:
The Australian War Memorial will run a number of
activities and performances over 17 and 18 August
commemorating both the Battle of Long Tan and
Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Further
details can be found on the AWM website at
www.awm.gov.au
On 18 August, commemorations in Canberra will commence
with a dawn ‘Stand To’ service at the Australian War
Memorial.
Following this, a National Service of Commemoration will
be held at the Australian Vietnam Forces National
Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra.
In addition to these commemorations, the Government will
host a Parliamentary Reception in Canberra for invited
veterans and guests on 17 August, and there will be a
commemorative parade by 6 RAR for veterans of the Battle
of Long Tan at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane on the
afternoon of 18 August.
If you have any questions or require further
information, please visit www.anzaccentenary.gov.au
|
Lone Pine Service
6th August 2016
On 6 August 1915, Australians attacked at Lone Pine,
Gallipoli in Turkey in an epic, but ultimately tragic,
battle.
Just four days later there were 2,300 Australian casualties,
7,000 Turkish casualties and seven Australians would be
awarded our highest military honour, the Victoria Cross.
It is important to pause to remember the service of the
Australians who lost their lives at Lone Pine and reflect on
their bravery and sacrifice.
To mark the 101st anniversary of the battle, on 6 August the
Australian Government will hold a formal Lone Pine
commemorative service at this significant site for those who
wish to pay their respects at the time and place the battle
began.
To find our more about this event including how to register
please visit
http://goo.gl/jDyTWJ
|
|
Try the High Res website and app
High Res is a suite of resources to support the mental
health and wellbeing of serving and ex-serving ADF members
and their families.
The High Res website and companion app offers interactive
tools and self-help resources to help users cope better with
stress, build resilience and bounce back from tough
situations.
The website also provides a personal ‘dashboard’ where users
can develop a resilience plan, set goals and track their
progress.
The
High Res website is available on DVA’s
At Ease mental health portal.
The
High Res app is free from the iOS App Store and Android
Google Play.
|
|
Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2016
NAIDOC week runs each year from the first to the second
Sunday in July and is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.
This year, the National NAIDOC theme is Songlines: The
living narrative of our nation. For Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people, the Dreamtime describes a time when
the earth, people and animals were created by ancestral
spiritual beings. They created the rivers, lakes, plants,
land formations and living creatures. Songlines are
intricate maps of land, sea and country. They describe
travel and trade routes, the location of waterholes and the
presence of food. In many cases, Songlines on the earth are
mirrored by sky Songlines which allowed people to navigate
vast distances of this nation and its waters.
DVA is proud to provide support to Australia's Indigenous
veterans. If you are a Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
veteran, find out more about connecting with DVA at
http://goo.gl/Kv54y7
The National NAIDOC Committee website provides details of
events going on all around the country to celebrate and mark
NAIDOC week 2016 -
http://goo.gl/2OFido
|
|
|
| A
free and confidential counselling service for Australian
veterans, peacekeepers and their families. For more
information on VVCS services and eligibility, please visit
the
VVCS website or phone 1800 011
046. |
|
Veterans' Affairs e-News is a
regular service provided by the Department of Veterans'
Affairs.
Comments or feedback on Veterans' Affairs e-News may be
sent to
AMBENEWS@dva.gov.au |
Department of Veterans' Affairs
GPO box 9998
In your capital city
|
|
