Ossie speaks at the Gala Dinner. Photo, Adam Martin.

Richard Ossie Osborne has written to the Vietnam Swans National President, Phil Johns, to thank everyone involved for last weekend’s 2011 ANZAC Friendship Weekend – in particular, sponsors Jim Beam, Pest Free and the Caravelle Hotel. Below is his email.

Dear Phil

I wanted to pen an open letter to all involved in the ANZAC Friendship Weekend in Vung Tau last weekend.

Firstly to you Phil, without your incredible organising and all around passion for life and everything Aussie Rules, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for involving me in the most amazing five days of my life, bar none.

To all involved in their passionate pursuits involving orphaned kids and helping them live a happy and peaceful life, god love your beautiful hearts.

To Glenn at Tommy’s Bar in Vung (Tau) Wow, you are a legend mate and your knowledge of battle sights and the Long Tan area made it a memorable site to visit.

Dan Kindness at the Long Tan Cross addresses Swannies including Ossie. Photo, Adam Martin.

To all the Vietnam Vets involved in the weekend and particularly the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Long Tan Cross, your sacrifices to the land down under are now stuff of legend in my eyes.

I would also like to thank all my team mates, both with the Vietnam Swans and the Hong Kong Dragons, who’s company made it all the more memorable.

There are too many names to mention, but I would also like to thank everyone I met, involved in the weekend, it was a pleasure to share your company over a few beers.

A weekend like this would, of course, have been impossible for me to be a part of, without the generous support of sponsors Jim Beam, the Caravelle Hotel and Pest Free, to name a few.

Everybody should be so proud about the way they are representing the great game of Australian Rules in many areas of South East Asia and for that, I salute you.

Warmest Regards
Richard Osborne