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Home » Themes » Conflict » Vietnam

Vietnam Memorial GrovePrint Page

24-September-2017 [Peter Williams]

Photographs supplied by Glen Yeomans / Roger Johnson / Peter Williams

The Vietnam Memorial Grove consists of 521 native Australian trees, one for each of the Australian servicemen killed in Vietnam, which are planted in unit groups. The trees represent a living memorial to each serviceman.

This unique memorial was dedicated on Coral Day 16th May 1993, by the NSW governor, Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair. The inscription reads" For those who have fought for it, Life has a quality the sheltered will never know". These words were written on a bunker at Khe Sanh after the relief of that base which had been under siege for months. The dedication service was attended by senior military officers, Vietnam Veterans, parents, families, and friends of Veterans.

It was initiated by Veterans John Flood and Peter Houlahan. The Grove has been extended north and south by Muswellbrook RSL and National Servicemen's Associaton in memory of generations of service men and women who have served throughout the world. It is cared for with assistance of Macquarie Generation, Muswellbrook RSL and inmates from St Heliers Correctional Centre.

The rest area contains a landscaped garden area and various plaques and memorials including the Vietnam War Memorial and the South Vietnamese War Memorial.

Australia's military involvement in the Vietnam War began with the arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in South Vietnam during July and August 1962. Australia's participation in the war was formally declared at an end when the Governor-General issued a proclamation on 11 January 1973.

However, the end-date of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War has officially been amended to 29 April 1975 to reflect Australia’s further involvement in the war during the fall of Saigon in 1975. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Australian War Memorial, in Canberra now recognise this new date.

Location

Address:	New England Highway, Vietnam Memorial Rest Area, Muswellbrook, 2333
State:	NSW
Area:	AUS
GPS Coordinates:	Lat: -32.247417 Long: 150.896539 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.

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Details

Monument Type:	Trees
Monument Theme:	Conflict
Sub-Theme:	Vietnam
Actual Event Start Date:	03-August-1962
Approx. Event End Date:	1972

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:	Sunday 16th May, 1993

Front Inscription

Plaque:

"For those who have fought for it
Life has a quality the
sheltered will never know"

Vietnam
1962 - 1972

Plaque:

Muswellbrook Memorial Grove

This Grove Extends North And South Along The New England Highway
Covering A Distance Of 1750 Metres

Constructed In 1992 Through The Generosity Of The
Citizens And Businesses Of The Local Community

The Muswellbrook Memorial Grove Is Managed And Maintained By
The Members Of The Muswellbrook RSL Branch

Plaque:

In Appreciation
Of The Maintenance And Improvements
Carried Out At
The Muswellbrook Memorial Grove
By The Correctional Services Industry
St Heliers Correctional Centre

Plaque:

Macquarie Generation
Is Proud To Support
The Muswellbrook Memorial Grove
In Honour Of Our Veterans
And Those Who Served Our Country.

Inscription in Proximity

Vietnam Memorial

This
Memorial Grove Is
Dedicated To The Memory
Of Those Australians Killed
As A Result Of Action In
Republic Of South Vietnam
1962 - 1972

Source: MA

Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au

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