Following on from an inspiring meeting between Seymour College Year 11 and 12 Vocational Major students and local Vietnam veterans in May, planning is well under way for the August service.
Leveraging the success of last year’s commemoration, where students took over the proceedings from veterans for the first time — and made national headlines in the process — Seymour College’s Lyrik Loder and Ella Noble are anticipating a huge turnout.
The pair, set to be the event’s speakers, say this year’s service is all the more significant.
“It’s a bit more special because it is the 60th anniversary,” Ella said.
While their speech, which has been a collaborative effort between all Vocational Major students, will touch on the anniversary, a demonstration honouring the Australian soldiers who died in the Battle of Long Tan will also pay tribute to the date.
“Eighteen soldiers died, so we’re going to have 18 VM students holding a photo of each one of those 18 people who passed away in Vietnam,” Lyrik said.
During the meeting with local veterans, the entire cohort of students was inspired by veteran nurse Jan Kennedy, who emphasised the important role that women played in the war.
The collective knowledge that women would play a large part in this year’s service was instantaneous.
“We’re two women holding it this year because we want it to be about the women who also helped and served alongside the doctors and were there for the soldiers,” Ella said.
Vocational Major co-ordinator Lisa Macheras said she was also significantly touched by Ms Kennedy’s speech.
“Last year, I think maybe there was one sentence about thanking the women, but after hearing Jan we knew we needed to acknowledge it. I can’t believe we hadn’t done it before,” she said.
“It’ll be a big acknowledgment of the women and the families and what happened afterwards.”
Supporting the service are a number of local businesses, including The Brewer’s Table in Seymour and The Sallyman from Puckapunyal.
As always, there will be much involvement with local veterans, including John Phoenix, John Blackwell and Hank Kreemers.
Lyrik said getting the information “first-hand” and relaying it to attendees was really important.
“I think it’s good that it’s not forgotten,” she said.
“Even though it was a long time ago, it sticks with all of those people and all the veterans, and I feel like you look at them and you can still see it. You look in their eyes and there’s still hurt there.
“I feel like that’s really important — to know the history of our country and what people have devoted to our country.”
Ella said it was crucial that young people knew what happened.
“I feel like it still should be spoken about and shared, especially because it wasn’t at the start. They were neglected and not listened to at all,” she said.
“I think it’s quite important to keep that legacy going and let young Australians and young people know.”
This year’s ceremony will be held from 11am on Tuesday, August 18, at the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk on High St, Seymour.
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