Cobram pays tribute to Vietnam heroes

By Adam Miller

Aug 19, 2024

Cobram Secondary College students with a local RSL member and Lewis Brown from Cobram Anglican Grammar, at the Cenotaph on Sunday. Photo by Contributed

A special wreath-laying service was held at the Cobram Cenotaph on Sunday, August 18 to commemorate the 58th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and Vietnam Veterans’ Day.

Jan Brown reads a Vietnam veteran’s wife’s letter at the Cobram Cenotaph on Sunday. Photo by Contributed

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The ceremony, run by Cobram Secondary College, saw the local community pay their respects to the 521 Australians who lost their lives in the war, which Australia participated in from 1962 to 1972.

Madison Knight reads the closing prayer at the Cobram Cenotaph on Sunday. Photo by Contributed

Today, the Cobram RSL proudly counts three Vietnam veterans among its members, while solemnly acknowledging the passing of several former comrades, within the past year.

Margaret Mendoza and Ruby Noonan at the Cobram Cenotaph on Sunday. Photo by Contributed

About 60,000 Australian personnel served in Vietnam, including 15,300 conscripts chosen through 16 national service ballots conducted from 1965 to 1972.

Cobram Primary School students Akirah-Lee Johnston and Olivia Horan lay a wreath at the Cobram Cenotaph on Sunday. Photo by Contributed

Tragically, 200 lost their lives during service, with a further 1200 sustaining wounds that would forever change them.

RSL members lay wreaths at the Vietnam Veterans’ Day ceremony held at the Cobram Cenotaph on Sunday. Photo by Contributed

Emcee Olivia Sullivan at the Vietnam Veterans’ Day wreath-laying service on Sunday.

Local community members lay wreaths at the Vietnam Veterans’ Day service on Sunday at the Cobram Cenotaph. Photo by Contributed

The Battle of Long Tan, a fierce day-long engagement in a South Vietnamese rubber plantation, claimed the lives of 18 brave Australians.

Cobram students lay wreaths at the Vietnam Veterans’ Day memorial service at the Cobram Cenotaph on Sunday.

Cobram’s own Vietnam veteran Rob Brown said the young men who lost their lives should be remembered for the sacrifice they gave for their country.

St Joseph’s College students with a wreath at the Cobram Cenotaph on Sunday. Photo by Contributed

Akirah-Lee Johnston and Olivia Horan of Cobram Primary School and Amelia Siciliano, Jock McCormick, Mia Lindhe, Clare McCormick and Meg McCormick of St Joseph’s Primary laid wreaths for their schools.