Camperdown College student Lauren McIlveen is one of 10 Victorian students heading to Vietnam as part of a study tour to mark the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.
Gayle Tierney MP, Member for Western Victoria today congratulated Lauren who was selected after submitting a project that reflected the topic of the “controversial Vietnam War”.
The Vietnam War was Australia’s longest engagement of the 20th century. Almost 60,000 Australians fought in the war. More than 500 Australians lost their lives serving their country. The students travelling to Vietnam will visit key battle sites, as well as significant locations in Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon and Hanoi.
The 13-year war was set against a backdrop of divided public opinion over conscription and the use of chemical and guerrilla warfare. The Vietnam War was the first to be played out on television.
Ms Tierney said Lauren has a rare opportunity to see for herself the sites that shaped Australia’s history, and would return home with stories to tell her classmates.
Vietnam Veterans Day is August 18, the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, and the Andrews Labor Government is helping Victorian schools send students to the Vietnam Veterans Day march and service at the Shrine of Remembrance.
For more information visit www.vic.gov.au/victoriaremembers/vietnam
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“Lauren McIlveen is a fine leader amongst our community with a bright future. I’m thrilled she is being given this rare opportunity.”
“Our students are our future. We’re sending a great group of young leaders to Vietnam, who will then be able to come home and share their special experience with their colleagues.”
“The Vietnam Veterans Day march and service at the Shrine of Remembrance will be a great chance to pay our respects to the veterans who did us proud.”
Quotes attributable to Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Victoria Branch, Bob Elworthy
“As we reflect on 50 years since the Battle of Long Tan, it’s important we safeguard these special moments in our nation’s story for future generations to cherish.”