Russell Broadbent (McMillan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 20 August, next Sunday, it will be the Long Tan commemoration day for the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club, Gippsland Chapter. Six of them began the organisation to give Vietnam vets the opportunity to be part of the broader Victorian Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club. As I said, only six of them started out and they then found a place—a place to stay, a place to be, a place to belong—and that was the old Longwarry North Hall, which they've turned into a clubhouse that gives the Vietnam vets the opportunity to be part of the community. They have not only become part of the community; they've also donated to the CFA, the SES and organisations in the area and they’ve helped Kids With Cancer raise money for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the children's hospital.

The colours that members of the chapter wear are symbolic not only of the members they represent who were lost but also of members who are still living who must go on in their memory. The Gippsland chapter wear their colours with pride. A long time ago now I went to their first Long Tan commemoration day and now there are hundreds of motorcycles and hundreds of people that attend this very important ceremony.

Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has now concluded.