DVA’s Commemoration 50th Anniversary Withdrawal of Australian Troops from Vietnam

DVA is wanting to locate three veterans from 35SQN to discuss their invitation to share their experience of Vietnam with others – to commemorate the 50th Anniversary Withdrawal of Australian Troops from Vietnam

My name is Dr Liana Markovich, I am a historian for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in the Commemorations Branch located in Canberra.

I am writing to you regarding a documentary that will be produced this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is conducting a variety of activities to commemorate the anniversary. One of the commemorative projects being planned is an audio-visual documentary focusing on the experiences of Australians serving in the Vietnam War, as seen through the lens of the photographer and war correspondent Denis Gibbons.

Mr Gibbons spent time with No. 35 Squadron RAAF in Vietnam during 1967.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is hoping to get in touch with three veterans from No. 35 Squadron who were featured in a magazine article published in People Magazine which was published in April 1968.

We would like to record and film an interview with one of the men about their experience in Vietnam.

The men we would like to contact about the opportunity to be part of the documentary are:

John Terence ‘Blue’ McDonnell

Allan Hudson

Robert Brooks

I would be grateful if you might ask your associations members if someone might know them and if these gentlemen might get in touch with me. I can be contacted by email at Liana.Markovich@dva.gov.au or on my mobile 0414927323.

Thank you very much for your time.

Liana

Dr Liana Markovich

Historian | Community Engagement Team
Commemorations Branch |Commemorations
Commemorations Division
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Ph: 02 62891150
www.dva.gov.au