Branch - Vietnam Veterans
The RAAF Vietnam Veterans Association (RAAFVVA) was formalised at the inaugural Annual General Meeting held on Anzac Day 1987.
Our History
The Association operated as a social organisation until the need for welfare support was recognised. This resulted in the RAAFVVA seeking affiliation with the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, and as a consequence became a sub-branch of the VVAA in June 1992.
In 2012, after a referendum of members, the Association became an affiliated member of the Air Force Association, as the Vietnam Veterans Branch. In accordance with the wishes expressed by members at the time of the amalgamation with the Air Force Association (Victorian Division), we continue to operate in tandem with the Victorian Vietnam Veterans State Association of Australia as a small (but viable) RAAFVVA sub-branch. The Association maintains its involvement in all aspects of Veteran Welfare support and is well placed to meet the welfare needs of RAAF veterans.
The RAAFVVA is affiliated with the Air Force Association. Members are therefore welcome to visit and use the Air Force Association complex, which includes a reading room, library and small museum, whenever they are in the vicinity.
Contacts
President
Christopher Hudnott
ph: 0438 331 215
Secretary
Gill Coughlan
ph: 0408 503 986
RAAF Wellbeing and Compensation Advocates
Melbourne Area
Alan White - Wellbeing Advocate Level 2
ph: (03) 9598 1007
Melton
Bill Wiltshire - Compensation Advocate Level 2
ph: (03) 9746 9582
Meetings
Committee Meetings
The RAAFVVA Committee meets monthly in the “Point Cook Room” at the Air Force Association - Victoria headquarters at 24 Camberwell Road, East Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122 (ph: 03 9813 4600).
Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month, commencing at 1300 hours. RAAFVVA members are encouraged to attend these meetings as observers.
At least one monthly meeting each year – generally over a weekend – is held at a regional locality where at least one member reside
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting is traditionally held on a Sunday in February each year at the Air Force Association - Victoria headquarters (see above), commencing at 1400 hours. The meeting is completed in time to permit attending members to participate in a social reunion for the remainder of the afternoon.
Our Monthly Luncheons
The RAAFVV meets monthly at the Mail Exchange Hotel (see the map below)
Join Us
There are three categories of RAAFVV membership:
- Ordinary membership: Persons who are:
- A Vietnam Veteran serving or former member of the RAAF or Allied Air Forces with service for a minimum of 6 months, or adult partner, dependant or descendant.
- Association membership: Persons who are:
- Widows or widowers of ex-RAAF Vietnam Veteran members; or
- Spouses and partners of Ordinary Members; and their family members who are over 18 years of age.
- Concurrent membership: Persons who are:
- Eligible for Ordinary Membership; and are maintaining current annual Ordinary Membership in a Air Force Unit or Role Association recognised by the Air Force Association.
- Note: All applications for Concurrent Membership will require Board of Management approval to take effect.
Membership of all categories is open to eligible applicants Australia-wide. Overseas applicants may also apply.
The Membership Application can be downloaded and printed from this site in PDF format. Simply click on the button below to download and print the form.
Please send your completed form and your subscription to:
RAAF Vietnam Veterans Association
PO Box 1038
Hawthorn
Vic 3122
Branch News
Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - June 2022
In this edition:
From the President:
I’m sure we were all relieved to see a return to normal arrangements for the Anzac Day March, although the overall number of banners and marchers were reduced. This, in turn, led to our contingent leaving a little earlier than the advertised step-off time...........
2022 Bursaries & Encouragement Awards
Two students received awards at the Vietnam Veterans Branch/RAAF Sub-Branch Vietnam Veterans Association (Vic) AGMs.
Read more...Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - March 2022
In this edition:
From the President:-
The past year has again seen the impact of COVID on the community as we comply with everchanging government requirements and using our own judgement to further restrict our personal activities to avoid large crowds or using public transport........
Read more...
RAAF Veteran Awarded US Silver Star
RAAF Vietnam veteran Mac Cottrell has been awarded the prestigious Silver Star by United States.
Read more...
Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - December 2021
In this edition:
From the President:-
On 12 November, I attended the VVAA State Council meeting in Ballarat and it was great to see the familiar faces of the sub-branch Presidents again after so many months and surviving the frustration of so many cancelled attempts to hold the meeting.
There were two features of the meeting that will be of interest to our members. Dianne Dempsey, the author of a new book titled “When He Came Home” gave a presentation of her work which stresses the important role that veterans’ wives had in holding their families together in the face of government and community indifference to the psychological harm that impacted so many veterans from the Vietnam conflict. The book is available on-line for about $30............
Read more...
Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation
ADF veterans have been recognised with Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
Read more...
Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - September 2021
In this edition:
From the President:-
TWe had been planning and looking forward to Vietnam Veterans Day on 18th August and for the second year running, COVID prevented this. This was disappointing as the Victorian Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Victoria had gone to considerable trouble to make this event particularly special (marking the 50th anniversary of the cessation of combat operations in Vietnam) with a Gunfire Breakfast and hire of large video screens to project entertainment provided by artists from the 1960s..........
Read more...
Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - June 2021
In this edition:
From the President:-
This month’s committee meeting was back to using the Zoom video-conferencing software and although this facility enables us to conduct committee business efficiently, it does limit the personal interaction and exchange of ideas that meeting at our normal venue in the AFA (Vic) office affords.........
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ANZAC Day 2021 - Commemorative Address by Max McGregor
ANZAC Day 2021 Commemorative Address by the President of the Air Force Association Victoria, Max McGregor.
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Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - March 2021
In this edition:
From the President:-
The following is my report for the AFA Vietnam Veterans Branch / VVAA RAAF Sub-Branch for the AGM 2020. It highlights the major activities that have been addressed by our Committee, lists some of the important activities of the Victorian Branch of the VVAA and points to important issues being addressed by the AFA (Victoria) Division..........
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Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - November 2020
In this edition:
From the President
In many ways, 2020 is a year that the Victorian members of our Branch will be glad to put behind them with the State Government lockdown restrictions forcing us to rethink the ways we communicate with each other. The impact of COVID-19 on Branch activities was also significant with the re-arrangement of our normal gatherings on Vietnam Veterans Day as I mentioned in the last Newsletter..........
Read more...
Closing the Bracelets - Magpie 91
The story of bringing home the crew of Magpie 91 and closing the final bracelets (video).
Read more...Vietnam Veterans' Day - 18th August 2020
On Vietnam Veterans' Day, we pause to remember our RAAF veterans who served in Vietnam. (video)
Read more...
50th Anniversary of the loss of Magpie 91
Tuesday 3rd November marks the 50th Anniversary of the loss of Magpie 91 in South Vietnam in 1970.
Read more...Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - September 2020
In this edition:
From the President
I trust everyone in the Melbourne Metro area is coping with the Stage Four restrictions and as I pen this - still another 2 weeks to go. However, the daily number of infections is headed down and hopefully in the next week or so the Victorian Government will give us some idea of what awaits us after 13 September.........
Read more...
‘Meet-A-Mate’ – National Vietnam Veterans’ Museum
It was a ‘Boy’s Own’ day for Lachlan Davey who visited the National Vietnam Veterans’ Museum at Phillip Island with his grandpa Peter Colliver. Taking the controls of former 9SQN Huey A2-110, Lachlan was among 46 Association members and their guests visiting the museum as part of the Division’s ‘Meet-a-Mate’ Program held on August 22nd.
Read more...Unveiling 231
Most military aircraft have an ignominious end, rotting in a farmer’s back paddock, broken up and buried or, at best, sitting in an aircraft boneyard waiting to be cannibalised. Former RAAF Caribou A4-231 was fortunate to be purchased by the National Vietnam Veterans’ Museum at Phillip Island and is on display to continue the story of this aircraft’s role in Air Force’s airlift capability.
Read more...Home At Last (Part 1): The Repatriation Ceremony of the Magpie 91 Crew
On 31 August 2009, after nearly 39 years together as MIAs in Vietnam, FLGOFF Mike Herbert and PLTOFF Robert Carver of Canberra bomber Magpie 91, were finally brought home and laid to rest within the care of their families.
"The historic repatriation of Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver on 31 August 2009 marked the end of an era for our Air Force. Michael and Robert were the last ADF members listed as Missing in Action from the Vietnam conflict and returning them to their families has finalised our involvement with the Vietnam War." - former Chief of Air Force, Air Marshall Mark Binskin.
Home At Last (Part 2): Close The Bracelets
On 31 August 2009, after nearly 39 years together as MIAs in Vietnam, FLGOFF Michael Herbert and PLTOFF Robert Carver of Canberra bomber Magpie 91, were finally brought home and laid to rest within the care of their families.
As the C130 carrying their caskets landed at RAAF Base Richmond, those who had gathered waiting at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum, heard the words they’d been waiting for:
"The boys are home! Close the Bracelets!”
Home At Last (Part 3): Laid To Rest
Monday 31st August 2009 realised a sight that most RAAF Vietnam Veterans, especially those who had served with No 2 Squadron, never expected to see: after nearly 39 years MIA in Vietnam, the caskets of FLGOFF Michael Herbert and PLTOFF Robert Carver being ceremonially transferred from the C130 that had brought them from Hanoi to the tarmac at RAAF Base Richmond.
Following the formal Repatriation Ceremony at RAAF Base Richmond on 31 August 2009, Mike and Bob were accorded funerals with military honours.
Unveiling the RAAF Vietnam Plaque at the AFC Memorial, 28 March 2010
On 28th March 2010, a crowd of some 250 veterans, family and friends gathered at “Spiritual Home of the RAAF” for a long overdue commemorative ceremony and plaque unveiling, dedicated to those RAAF personnel who lost their lives during that service and honouring all the personnel and units who served in Vietnam between 1964 and 1975.
Read more...
Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - June 2020
In this edition:
The Coronavirus lockdown restrictions are gradually being lifted and we are hoping that our next commemorative event on Vietnam Veterans Day (18 August) at the Shrine of Remembrance and the post-commemoration gathering for lunch will proceed as normal...
Read more...
‘Gallipoli – The First Day’ e-book
ANZAC Day 2020: ‘Gallipoli – The First Day’ e-book
A free on-line edition of ‘Gallipoli -The First Day’, written by Vietnam Veteran, Peter Condon (RAAF Forward Air Controller) has been made available for you to read and reflect on what happened on that first day at Gallipoli (please see PDF below).
Read more...
Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - September 2018
In this edition:
From the President | Secretary's snippets | Vietnam Veterans Day 2018 | Health & Welfare | and more...
Read more...