Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

This year marked the 52nd anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. Every year on Vietnam Veterans Day, 18 August, we pause and we reflect on the service and the bravery of those Australian men and women who served us during the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War was Australia's longest military engagement of the 20th century, with almost 60,000 Australians serving during a decade of conflict between 1962 and 1972. The Battle of Long Tan was one of the fiercest battles fought by Australian soldiers during the war.

Last Saturday I attended a Vietnam veterans memorial service at Long Beach on the Central Coast in honour of the sacrifice of those who served in the Vietnam War. The streets were busy for the veterans' march as the parade moved through Ocean View Road, Memorial Avenue and finally through to The Esplanade at Ettalong Beach. The march was followed by a touching ceremony at the war memorial on the foreshore. I'd like to pay tribute to the guest speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Don Tate, for his moving words acknowledging the courage and sacrifice of those men and women who bravely served our nation during the Vietnam War. Every year, the Vietnam Veterans, Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association of Australia Central Coast Sub-Branch organises this significant memorial to give all local people the chance to remember and give thanks to those who have served our nation. I would like to thank the Central Coast sub-branch for putting together the service. To Dr Stephen Karsai, Alan Ball, Wayne Jennings, Eric Daniel, Ken Rowe, Ted Crawley and everyone who assisted on the day: thank you for all you do for our community. (Time expired)

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