Vietnam Memorial GrovePrint Page

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.

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Dedication