Cranbourne RSL committee member Geoff Parker stands in a ‘bunker’, on display for the RSL’s Long Tan celebrations. By Sarah Schwager
CRANBOURNE RSL’s Battle of Long Tan celebrations went off without a hitch last week.
More than 130 people turned out to reflect on those who died and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the fateful day on 18 August 1966 during the Vietnam War.
In the same week, Casey Council carried a motion to look at setting up a memorial to acknowledge the service of Vietnam veterans.
Mayor Kevin Bradford said it would be the first memorial specifically dedicated to Vietnam veterans in the municipality, however other councillors believed it would be good to acknowledge other veterans on the memorial as well.
Cranbourne RSL promotions officer Anne O’Sullivan said the club’s celebrations last Wednesday had exceeded expectations.
“Everyone had a ball,” she said. “We had a full house.”
Holt MP Anthony Byrne, Cr Bradford and John Methven from the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Victoria spoke at the event.
Mrs O’Sullivan said the highlight of the night was the cabaret show Those were the Days, starring the Purrfect Girls Cheryl and Dianne.
“It was just brilliant. They came in their ’60s gear singing. It just made the night,” she said.
Mrs O’Sullivan said one of the girls came in on the back of a motorbike, with everyone surprised as the bike roared into the club.
A bunker was also set up, with all the equipment on loan from the Aussie Disposal Cranbourne store.
“It was just like being there,” Mrs O’Sullivan said.
“We had the helicopter noise on tape and photo slides up on the screen.”
She said the dinner did not just focus on the sad part of the war, but also the entertainment and on how people were doing now.
