THE KALGOORLIE-BOULDER VIETNAM VETERANS

MEMORIAL DEDICATION.

 

 

 

The concept of a Kalgoorlie-Boulder Vietnam Veterans “Goldfields’ Memorial, took root in 1996, a Committee formed, and eventually with everything to bear fruit during an absolutely wonderful and memorable weekend and ‘dedication day’ at Centennial Park in Kalgoorlie on Sunday the 16th August 2009.

 

Six of us with goldfields backgrounds from ASASA attended – Brian Tierney, Kevin Bovill, Gordon Herbert, Rick Giblett, Mal Waters and Paddy yours truly.  In fact, Mal and his good lady had driven all the way over from NSW, arriving in the nick of time at the ‘meet ‘n’ greet’ at the Boulder Ex Services Club and on the eve of the occasion. 

 

On the dedication day itself, we were further joined by Kalgoorlie-ite Cliff  (Cliff Baston??  Confirm this Bill), an ex 22 SAS member, and also a member of ‘the House’.  All up however, there were well over two hundred visiting veterans and spouses in town for the occasion.  Many had arrived in organised RSL groups.

 

 

 

On the Saturday evening prior to the dedication, we the veterans attending, were shouted to a most delightful three course meal at the very historical Boulder Town Hall.  This included a band, feature artist, beer, wine and soft-drinks - with more table service than you can imagine – again via the eighty or so plus sponsors and whose generous dollar donations had made the entire project and weekend a reality.  The rumour was, be it true or not, that it had only taken around a fortnight or so to collect in the vicinity of $250,000 off the local Corporate community.  But a wonderful effort and whatever the truth.

 

As a further adjunct to the dining-in.  The tables were so arranged that each group of ten ex Service personnel, were in a position to mix with and entertain a sponsor concerned.  As such, at our table and also as a further example of the general calibre of the township’s populace perhaps, we had the pleasure of being joined by Andrew Smith and his wife Lisa.  Although Andrew is the CEO of a number of mineral drilling concerns, he nevertheless ‘still finds the time’, to roster himself each week to deliver ‘meals on wheels’ for the district’s infirmed and elderly – country folks!

 

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial itself, would do justice to anything we have up at Kings Park.  The main memorial area excluded.  It consisted of a gently curved wall of black Italian marble - approximately of fifteen metres length and about three high, with a steady trickle of water running down it to enhancing the facia.  The highlight is a stark and very distinctive white Long Tan cross in the centre, flanked by the dates 1962 and 1972 on either side.  The simple word ‘VIETNAM” was then placed in the same manner above the whole design.  A small base pelmet shields the foundations, both to catch and recycle the water, plus to provide space for the laying of wreaths.  Above all, it’s sited in the most prominent spot within Centennial Park.  And we can only hope that the vandals will also pay due respect!

 

 

 

The Dedication Day, the 16th, commenced in very bright sunshine at 1100 hours and assuming an ANZAC day type format.  This complete with a march led by a pipe band, plus a tricky about turn, which the blokes with the walking sticks etc - managed in fine spirit.  After normal military formality and appreciation procedures; during which ex MP Graham Edwards gave the best speech on Vietnam and its aftermath I have ever heard – bar none, the memorial was officially handed over to Lord Mayor, Mr Ron Yuryevich of the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, for ongoing maintenance and upkeep  Ample TV presence was evident, and the ‘Kalgoorlie Miner’ dedicated a double issue central-pages feature towards the coverage of the ceremony.  As such, I doubt if anyone of the six thousand of the area and very much further still, anywhere GWN, WIN and the ABC could reach, were left unaware of the event.

 

At conclusion - it took about an hour, the crowd and which could be estimated at around a thousand, engaged in eats and drinks.  Yes the hard stuff!  And I personally fail to see how anyone present could have walked away anything but impressed.  Tired, tiddly, sunburnt or all whichever, but unimpressed, no!  A most wonderful and concerted effort by the local ESOs concerned as well as the general folks of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, towards a just and most worthy ‘remembrance’ cause.  It was all perfectly done, plus a great weekend for all of us to remember and look back on.

 

Paddy Bacskai.