A group of residents from Vasey RSL Care Bundoora had a very special outing earlier this year to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Seymour, thanks to Lifestyle Coordinator, Linda, her team and volunteers.

The day began with a short bus ride to Donnybrook station, where the group boarded the train for a scenic ride to Seymour.

Residents made new friends on the train, including the helpful and friendly conductor, Mitchell.

Arriving at Seymour, Golf Carts Travel Assist provided wonderful assistance with transferring residents to their bus for a lovely lunch at the Seymour club, before heading to the Commemorative Walk.

Located along High Street Seymour, the Commemorative Walk, Memorial Grove and Vietnam Memorial Wall, proudly commemorate the service of all personnel serving during the Vietnam conflict on behalf of Australia from 1962 to 1975.

Seymour was chosen for this memorial due to its history as a site for military training going right back to the Boer War. The commemorative project began in 2012 and was undertaken in a series of stages.

The focal piece is the winding wall of glass and photo panels depicting the story of the Vietnam conflict and listing the names of every individual service member in alphabetical order – more than 60,000 names.

Linda tells us: “The walk was an emotional experience for many of our veterans, who were able to find their own names and the names of comrades they had served alongside.” (See photo below.)

It was a long and tiring day, but a wonderful and meaningful visit for residents, staff and volunteers.

“Thank you to our bus driver Terry and volunteer Benetta”, says Linda. “We could not have done this trip without you!”

Or you, Linda!