By Greg Piper
On 4 May, more than 20 members of the Military History Group visited the National Vietnam Veterans Museum at Newhaven near Phillip Island. The museum has a very well curated exhibit (see photo gallery) covering the entire period of Australia’s participation in the Vietnam conflict.
What seems like a modest building from the car park, opens up into an extensive display of aircraft, armoured vehicles, weapons, uniforms, and memorabilia. All of these beautifully curated exhibits have been painstakingly restored, over more than 20 years by dedicated volunteers and returned servicemen. Their personal knowledge and experience have made this a fitting tribute for those who served in this campaign.
Key to the whole display are the human stories – the individuals who, in some cases, paid the ultimate sacrifice. There are also stories of the ordinary people: the mechanics, the cooks, the drivers, and nurses. It is a very personal museum, based upon the experiences of those who were there.
On a broader scale, it is a snapshot of the 1960s and 1970s, which was an era of significant social change in our nation. There are also interesting audio-visual aids to enhance the visitor experience, including a hologram display located in a large tent.
The whole trip was completed by some excellent cake and coffee and a great lecture from one of the volunteers. Some of our own members, who also served in that conflict, also shared very interesting personal experiences. A band of tired travellers finally got off the bus at our meeting point after a very worthwhile field trip. A great experience and well worth the visit, should you be travelling to Phillip Island or Gippsland. For more details go to https://vietnamvetsmuseum.org/