2016 VVAA VIETNAM WAR HISTORY COMPETITION

BRIEFING NOTES

“The well-being of history lies in the telling for unless the story is transmitted across the generations it is lost” (Dr Michael McKernan)

Australian Troops assisting an elderly Vietnamese man during Operation “Crimp” 1966

BACKGROUND

From 1962 until 1975, Australian servicemen and women were engaged in the Vietnam War which was to becomeone of Australia’s longest and most controversial conflicts. Five hundred and twenty one young Australians died during the war and several thousand were wounded.

As well as earning a reputation as good combatants, the Australians gained the respect of their enemy for their battlefield conduct and treatment of enemy casualties. The Vietnamese civilian population also largely respected the Australians because of their policy of not damaging or destroying civilian infrastructure whenever possible and for their genuine attempts to improve the lot of the Vietnamese people. As a sign of respect for the Australians, the communist government of Vietnam allows a monument to our fallen to remain at Long Tan, the site of one of the biggest defeats inflicted by the Australians on the communist forces. It is the only memorial to foreign troops permitted on Vietnamese soil, apart from one to the French, demonstrating the regard of the Vietnamese for Australian troops and their conduct.

Over its duration, the Vietnam War gradually became less popular with the Australian people, especially the young; as the war dragged on, casualties mounted and the horrors of war were televised into homes. There were protests against compulsory conscription (national service) and large rallies against the war in the capital cities, with protesters even carrying placards supporting the North Vietnamese. Trade unions disrupted supply of war materials, and many returning Vietnam veterans were subjected to personal abuse and rejection.

For years after the conflict had ended, many Vietnam veterans struggled to integrate back into society. There was comparatively little public recognition of the service of Australians who served in Vietnam. Apublic ‘Welcome Home Parade’was held in Sydney on 3 October 1987,however it was arranged in large part by Vietnam veterans.The official dedication of the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra in 1992 - for which Vietnam veteranscontributed significant funding-gave Vietnam veterans a sense of identity and self-worth.

The experience of the Australian men and women who served in Vietnam has informed and reshaped the Australian community’s attitudes on our duty toward those who serve our country, and the importance of support when they return home.

THE COMPETITION

The VVAA Vietnam War History Competition is being held as part of a program of events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and the Vietnam War in 2016.

The Competition is open to all Year 10 and 11 students in secondary schools across Victoria in 2016. Students are invited to submit entries to the competition before 27 March 2016. Ten studentswill be selected to travel on an overseas study tour to Vietnamin September 2016, during the school holidays.

The costs of the study tour including airfares, meals and accommodation will be fully provided by the Victorian Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia.

THE TOPIC

“THE CONTROVERSIAL VIETNAM WAR”

By researching how Australia became involved in the Vietnam War, the introduction of conscription, and the changing attitude to the War on the home front, explain why the Vietnam War has been referred to as a “Controversial War”, and what impact community attitudes to the War had on returning Vietnam Veterans.

FORMAT

Entries can be in ONE of the following formats:

  • Essay of 1000 words (word count does not include references or footnotes)
  • Story of up to 1000 words
  • Audio-visual presentation (maximum 10 minutes)
  • Diorama

Students are encouraged to source material from interviews, experiences of friends or relatives, media sources and individual research conducted on-line and/or using non-electronic sources such as those found at local libraries, Victorian Vietnam Veteran Sub-Branches, the National Vietnam Veterans Museum Phillip Island, RSLs or historical societies. All sources must be acknowledged and the bibliography preferably annotated.

All applications must be submitted via email, and must be received by 11:59pm 27 March 2016 (end of term 1).

Audio-visual presentationsshould be provided as an electronic file or uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo or a similar media sharing website and a URL provided.

Audio-visual and diorama entries MUST be accompanied by a written statement of up to 500 words that answers the following questions:

  • How was the research conducted?
  • Why was this format chosen?
  • How does the format relate to the research and the topic?
  • What are the conclusions on the topic?

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