Branch - Vietnam Veterans
The RAAF Vietnam Veterans Association (RAAFVVA) was formalised at the inaugural Annual General Meeting held on Anzac Day 1987.
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: (03) 9830 4665
Secretary
Gill Coughlan
ph: 0408 503 986
RAAF Wellbeing and Compensation Advocates
Melbourne Area
Alan White - Compensation 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
2020 Bursary Award Applications Are Now Open
The RAAFA Foundation together with the RAAF Vietnam Veterans Association (Vic) are proud to announce to two new bursary awards to go with the current annual bursaries.
Read more...
Home At Last
In 2009, after nearly 39 years together as MIAs in Vietnam, FLGOFF Mike Herbert and PLTOFF Bob Carver of Canberra bomber Magpie 91, were finally brought home and laid to rest within the care of their families.
Read more...Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - December 2019
From the President:
Bursaries
Educational bursaries are funded by the RAAF Association Foundation and Encouragement Awards are supported by donations from Committee members. Information about these awards is covered elsewhere in this Newsletter...........
Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - September 2019
FROM THE PRESIDENT:
Vietnam Veterans Day
Having been overseas for a few weeks, I arrived back just in time to attend Vietnam Veterans Day on 18 August at the
Shrine of Remembrance and surprisingly, for this time of the year, the weather was sunny (but breezy) for our short march
up the steps and past the Eternal Flame. This year, 2019, commemorated not only the 53rd anniversary of the Battle of
Long Tan but the 50th anniversary of the Battles of Hat Dich and later Binh Ba ........
Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - June 2019
From the President:
Passing of George Ashworth
In my report for the 2019 AGM in February, I mentioned that the Reverend George Ashworth OAM RFD had decided to retire as our Honorary Chaplain. He and his wife moved from their home in Jan Juc into aged care accommodation in Torquay. Sadly, Father George passed away peacefully on 29 April 19.....
Read more...
AFA Foundation Annual Bursaries Have Been Announced
Two young women who are about to commence their tertiary education were the recipients of the 2019 AFA Foundation Bursaries.
Read more...Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - March 2019
From the President:
2018 Vietnam Vets Day
Those members of our branch who were able to attend VV Day in 2018 would agree, I’m sure, that the event was moving and certainly memorable........
Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - Dec 2018
I’m sure those who were able to attend the WW 1 Armistice Commemoration at RAAF Base Point Cook on 4th November would agree that the event was a most memorable occasion and a successful outcome for all the hard work by the small AFA committee who put the event together. We will continue to remember the significance of the occasion............
Read more...
Did You Attend our Armistice Commemoration on 4 Nov 2018?
Thank you to those members and guests who attended our Centenary of the Armistice Commemoration event on 4th November 2018.
You can now view individual and group photos that were taken at the event here. Ordering details are also included.
Read more...
Saving Boxer 22 - The Largest Rescue Mission of the Vietnam War
In December 1969 the effort to recover two downed US Air Force airmen snowballed into their largest search and rescue mission of the Vietnam War.
Read more...Vietnam Veterans Newsletter - 121809
From the President : Vietnam Veterans Day this year was a special commemoration remembering the battles of Fire Support Bases at Coral and Balmoral and the VVAA went to some lengths to ensure that the event was memorable. I am sure that for our members able to attend it was a not-to-be-forgotten day. Particularly striking for me were the 26 Australian flags...........
Read more...
AFA Foundation Presents Annual Bursaries to Students
At a special joint Air Force Association/RAAF Vietnam Veterans’ Association ceremony earlier this year, young students were presented bursaries in support of their continuing academic studies and vocational training.
Read more...Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Coral and Balmoral
The National Vietnam Veterans’ Museum is seeking Coral & Balmoral veterans to participate in a commemorative exhibition.
Read more...Vietnamese-Australian Community Honours 521 Australians Lost in the Vietnam War
Members of the Vietnamese-Australian and the Vietnam Veterans Branch came together for a Dedication Ceremony for a memorial honouring Australians lost in the Vietnam War.
Read more...
Vietnam Veterans Branch - Autumn 2017
Our Annual General Meeting was held in the Air Force Association Headquarters on Sunday 12 February 2017 and was preceded by a light lunch and presentation of the AFA Foundation Bursary Awards by AFA Victorian President Carl Schiller and the Encouragement Awards made possible by two RAAF VVA Committee members.
There have been some changes to the Executive this year with Chris Hudnott assuming the role of President and Max McGregor as Vice President. Most members will know that after 12 years as Secretary, Rick Holmes has decided to take a back seat on the Committee and Gill Coughlan has taken on the role of Secretary.
Read more...
