Creative local student wins national competition to honour Australia’s Vietnam War sacrifice
A school student from Urangan State High School has a won a national competition to commemorate Australia’s Vietnam War veterans on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.
Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said Ellinor Waring was a worthy winner of the Federal Government’s Honouring Australian Vietnam Veterans Competition, which was open to all students from year’s nine to 11.
“As Australia honours the men and women who served in Vietnam, it is essential that future generations learn about this important chapter in our history and respect the service and sacrifice of those who defend our country,” Mr Pitt said.
“This competition encouraged students to reflect on the Australians who served in Vietnam and submit an entry that spoke about the importance of remembering and honouring their sacrifice and our wartime history.
“The judges were impressed with Ellinor’s entry which included stories of a nurse and a veteran of Long Tan. She also discussed the significance of August 18 and the importance of commemoration. She also accessed a wide range of sources to support her analysis.”
Ellinor travelled to Canberra last week to take part in a commemorative program of events.
The competition winners attended the national service on August 18 for the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and receive a plaque and certificate from Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan.
Almost 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam from 1962 until 1975, 521 lost their lives and more than 3000 wounded. Many more veterans suffered, and continue to suffer, because of their service.
On 18 August, Australia honoured the sacrifice of our servicemen and women during the Vietnam War on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, which is also Vietnam Veterans’ Day.