Vietnam veterans’ families supported to pursue dreams
More than half a century since Australian troops withdrew from Vietnam, their legacy lives on, including through wonderful initiatives like the Long Tan Bursary (LTB).
Over the months of May and June, 37 children and grandchildren of Vietnam War veterans were celebrated at ceremonies held across the country where they were awarded a 2024 bursary. They will each receive up to $12,000 over 3 years to help with tertiary education expenses.
The LTB is named after the Battle of Long Tan, which is a well-known encounter fought by Australians during the Vietnam War. The battle was Australia’s most costly of the war, with the highest number of Australian casualties in a single engagement.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh congratulated all of this year’s recipients of the bursary. ‘Last year we marked 50 years since the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, but our commitment to supporting the families of Vietnam veterans does not end there,’ Minister Keogh said.
‘I truly believe that no matter who you are or where you’re from, all Australians deserve access to a good education. I hope this bursary will help students from across the country access the education and skills they need to thrive.’
Recognising the intergenerational impacts of conflict, the LTB was born more than 20 years ago. It followed Vietnam veterans advocating for their descendants to be supported with costs related Members and friends of the new Families of Veterans Guild to tertiary education if they need it. To date, the bursary has supported 967 children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans to further their education by providing monetary assistance towards tertiary education expenses.
Financial aid provided by the LTB has helped produce doctors, teachers, lawyers, artists, mechanics and many other professions. All have gone on to make valuable contributions to their community and our country. This year’s recipients’ chosen fields of study include commerce, psychology, law, medicine/ surgery, teaching, science, occupational therapy and more.
We extend our congratulations to all of the recipients of the 2024 Long Tan Bursary. Applications for the 2025 LTB opened on Vietnam Veterans’ Day, 18 August 2024. For more information visit the DVA website.