True story of ordinary boys who became extraordinary men
A refurbished kindergarten has sprouted on the site where Australasian troops were headquartered for the 10 years of the Vietnam War, following a three year campaign of diplomacy and fundraising by veterans. The new facility will accommodate 50 pre-school children and includes extensions and renovations to the original class rooms built in 2002 for the […]
Battle of Long Tan veteran Major Morrie Stanley (RTD), MBE has passed away peacefully at his home in Campbells Bay, New Zealand. Morrie is survived by his wife Alva and his two sons. Morrie Stanley was the Forward (Artillery) Observer Officer (FOO) from 161 Field Battery, 16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery attached to […]
A ceremony proposed by the Australian Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, to present a gallantry citation 44 years after the bloody Battle of Long Tan has been stalled by red tape to the distress of a distinguished Vietnam War commander. Retired Lt Colonel Harry Smith praised the Governor-General for her sincere offer to host the ceremony for […]
**N.B. I’ve created a new BATTLE OF LONG TAN website with a lot more information and resources, please check it out! As part of the work behind this project, I undertook more than 2 years of extensive research in order to ensure accuracy of our “The Battle of Long Tan” documentary and the upcoming “Long […]
Members of the RAR Association need no introduction to the Battle of Long Tan. After all, it?s a Battle Honour on their Colours and its anniversary was selected as Australia’s Vietnam Veterans? Day. And over the years, one of the key resources in describing and explaining the battle has been Dave Sabben, the former platoon […]
Here is some video I filmed behind the scenes while we shot footage of Artillery firing in New Zealand for my Battle of Long Tan documentary with the 16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery on the 23rd June 2006 at the Linton Army base. It was actually minus 3 degrees Celsius this day and […]
I was very honoured to be approached by SPAA* to create and lead a session on Reaching Your Audience in this era of Digital & Social Media Marketing for the 2009 SPAA Conference in Sydney between 17-20 November. I am now happy to announce that I have secured two awesome new media / digital marketers […]
There is a great 100% volunteer organisation called the Australian Vietnam Veterans Reconstruction Group (AVVRG) holding an upcoming charity dinner in Sydney at Parliament House on Friday 14th August 2009 to raise money for building a Kindergarten in Nui Dat, South Vietnam. Guests of honour will be: Dave Sabben MG – Commander of 12 Platoon […]
For those of you who may have never seen the moving story we helped 60 Minutes (Australia) organise for the Battle of Long Tan 40th Anniversary back in August 2006, here is the video and background:
VETERANS WELCOME LONG TAN MEDALS DECISION 42 YEARS ON The Vietnam War veteran who led the charge for recognition for the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Long Tan in 1966 has described the Rudd Government’s decision to award more medals as a very favourable outcome. Lt Colonel Harry Smith, (retired), who was the […]