On Thursday, August 18, Victorians joined the rest of the country in commemorating Vietnam Veterans Day, a day that marks the sacrifices made by 60,000 Australians who served in the Vietnam War.

Those sacrifices will now be immortalized with a $10 million investment from the State Government to help launch a new, purpose-built site to house the National Vietnam Veterans Museum at Philip Island.

The financial boost will support the modernisation of the museum’s exhibitions, increase visitor capacity and improve patrons’ understanding of the history of the Vietnam War and its impacts.

Minister for Veterans Shaun Leane said it was critical for Victorians to be able to pay their respects to those who served in the Vietnam War.

“We will never forget the sacrifices made by the thousands of Australians who served in the Vietnam War,” he said.

“This investment will preserve and honour those sacrifices so future generations will never forget.”

The Victorian Government is also investing $200,000 in the Supporting Those That Served program.

$50,000 will be contributed to the digital recording of the stories and history of Vietnam veterans, and $150,000 in grants will be distributed to ex-service organisations to provide wellbeing support.

Photo credit: Visit Victoria