Commemorating the service of Australian veterans

The Commemorations Branch in Veterans' Affairs delivers a wide range of activities in Australia and overseas. The aim is to ensure that the service and sacrifice of those who have served Australia in wars, conflicts and peace operations are acknowledged, honoured, and better understood.

Each year, on Vietnam Veterans’ Day (18 August), organisations across Australia pay tribute to some 60,000 Australian personnel who served in Vietnam.

In 2023, Veterans’ Affairs held the National Commemorative Service at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra, marking the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

To further mark this significant anniversary, the branch produced a Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration. These were made available to every Australian veteran, or their widow or other family member, who served in the war.

The medallion and certificate were a meaningful way to honour the service of Australian veterans and recognise the sacrifice of those who never returned home.
 

Veterans’ Affairs Rory Walker and Elspeth Forster at the start of the Vietnam War 50th anniversary commemorative service.

Image: Veterans’ Affairs

Working together

The branch developed the National Commemorative Service and other supporting activities in conjunction with a consultative committee established for this anniversary, comprising representatives of key ex-service organisations.

Preparations for major commemorative events, like international Anzac Day Dawn Services, usually start about 6 months in advance. However, planning for the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War service began in 2021.

A major challenge of delivering appropriate commemorations is ensuring the correct narrative is conveyed, and acknowledgment is given to the service and sacrifice of all veterans, regardless of their role or duration of service. This also extends to civilians, such as Qantas staff who crewed, maintained, serviced and coordinated Skippy Squadron flights.

To do this effectively, the branch met with the consultative committee regularly during the 2 years of planning, asking members to share views on each activity. This ensured that key stakeholders were continuously engaged, that information was filtered through to members and that their views and expectations were heard.

Veterans’ families act as a critical link for sharing the stories of those involved in the Vietnam War. The branch ensured that descendants, widows and other relatives of some of the 523 personnel killed were directly involved in the planning for the Service.

The Commemorative Branch also worked closely with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. This was on both the live broadcast of the service and the production of a 3-episode documentary miniseries Our Vietnam War. This series tells the broader story of Australians' experience of the Vietnam War.

Benefits to the community

Commemorations raise community awareness and understanding of the service and sacrifice of military personnel and families. They also promote improved veteran wellbeing outcomes through recognition and respect. These activities, resources and events help to acknowledge, honour and remember those who served Australia in wars, conflicts and peace operations.

In addition to commemorative services and events, the branch uses their diverse skills, knowledge and experience to plan and deliver products, programs and educational resources.

The international reach of the Commemorations Branch also extends to the:

• delivery of the annual Anzac Day Dawn Services at Gallipoli in Türkiye, near Villers-Bretonneux in France
• support for the services at Hellfire Pass in Thailand
• support for the services at Sandakan in Malaysia.

The Commemorative Branch manages memorials across the world. It also manages interpretive centres near Villers-Bretonneux in France, Hellfire Pass in Thailand and Sandakan in Malaysia. The branch is developing an interpretive trail on the island of Lemnos in Greece.

Within Australia, the branch manages and monitors the use of the word ‘Anzac’ and develops historically accurate resources for educators, community members and the wider public. These resources are online on the Anzac Portal. The branch also provides information in the lead-up to Anzac Day and Remembrance Day to help groups and organisations tailor activities to suit attendees. 

Find out more

Australian Government (n.d.) 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, Veterans’ Affairs website, accessed 18 September 2024.

Australian Government (n.d.) Anzac Portal, Veterans’ Affairs website, accessed 18 September 2024.