Playing a vital role in the lives of Vietnam Veterans and their families The Geelong and District’s branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia’s relationship with Osborne House began 30 years ago when the stretch of the Princess Highway between Swinburne Street and Mackey Street was designated as the Vietnam Veterans’ Avenue of Honour. The grounds surrounding Osborne House contain many memorials to commemorate the men and women of the Geelong area who served in the armed forces in various conflicts since WW I. The Vietnam Veterans’ memorial was unveiled on the grounds in 1995 and there are 13 name plates and two plaques on the site. The Association’s Geelong and District Sub-branch President, Rieny Nieuwenhof, said the Geelong Vietnam Veterans’ connection with Osborne House and park is strong and for many years annual services were held at these memorial sites.
“THE AVENUE OF HONOUR HAS BECOME AN ICONIC TRIBUTE TO THE VIETNAM WAR AND ALL WHO SERVED IN THAT CONFLICT. THE ASSOCIATION REGARDS THE AVENUE OF HONOUR AND MEMORIAL PARK AS SYMBOLIC SACRED SPACES,” RIENY SAID. The Association’s connection with Osborne Park developed further when the City of Greater Geelong offered space within Osborne House for clubrooms in 2010. The space was known as the Geelong Vietnam Veterans’ Welfare Centre and became integral to the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Geelong and District. “The Vietnam Veterans’ Welfare Centre was a drop-in centre for 14 | geelongaustralia.com.au
veterans, a place to share stories, to have fortnightly ‘Pay Day’ lunches and other functions. The Centre played an important welfare role for veterans and their families,” Rieny said. “Each ANZAC Day and Vietnam Veterans’ Day members and their families gathered for lunch. There was also an annual Christmas luncheon for families and various other functions during the year. “Our association will cease to exist locally within 20 years, but it will be important to continue to acknowledge the military history of Osborne House and park. “To Vietnam Veterans the Avenue of Honour and Vietnam Memorial Park are culturally significant sites and must be protected, maintained and preserved.” The Avenue of Honour contains six panels depicting scenes associated with the Vietnam conflict. There is also a walking path with inlays naming battles and operations during the war. Memorial Park contains a pathway with inlaid bricks individually naming the 521 local Vietnam Veterans who did not survive the Vietnam War. On the grounds, there are also memorials to military campaigns in New Guinea, Isurava and Korea, a Gallipoli Oak memorial tree commemorating the Centenary of ANZAC, and a Lone Pine which was planted in 2010 to remember those who died in WW I. The Association also established a Vietnam Museum at the site which was a research hub and significant
repository of Vietnam War memorabilia and artefacts. Alongside the Osborne Park Association, the Vietnam Veterans took great pride in being custodians of the house and worked hard to preserve the buildings and grounds. The Vietnam Veterans’ Association submits that demolishing nonhistoric elements of Osborne House, including their former clubrooms, the Branscombe room, would be a “retrograde step as the space has great potential as community/commercial facility”. ‘Success of the reorientation of Osborne Park will be measured by how well the historical, cultural and social dimensions are protected’ Rieny said. “Success will also be measured by the expansion of public access to Osborne House and park in a more sympathetic reorientation for example providing access pathways, redoing gardens and not locking up the site”. Osborne House has a long history of military connection and with the Vietnam Veterans’ Association. Rieny says the history fits well with the ethos of the Geelong Vietnam Veterans’ Association, which is to “honour the dead and fight like hell for the living”. “The Association would carefully consider any offer of space within the refurbished building,” Rieny said. For the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia’s complete response, click here.
