2012 ANZAC Friendship Weekend owes its success to many people.

Swans’ National President, Phil Johns, thanks those who had something to do with the ANZAC Friendship Weekend.

The ANZAC Friendship Weekend is about remembrance and celebration. With the support of the Vietnamese Government and people, it would be easy to sometimes forget that our ANZAC Friendship Match is enveloped in a sea of sensitivities. We readily acknowledge and graciously thank the Vietnamese Government and people for their generosity of spirit in allowing our Match to be held each year.

Australia is one of just two countries that have been permitted to build a memorial to our fallen. Australia has the Long Tan Cross and the French have Dien Bien Phu. Additionally, the Vietnamese Government has just recently allowed a permanent path to be built through the rubber plantation to reach the Long Tan Cross from the road. The Vietnam Swans were granted official permission from the Government to host the ANZAC Friendship Match. Without the continued support of the Vietnamese Government and people, the ANZAC Friendship Weekend cannot happen.

We thank the Vabis Group, owners of the Vung Tau Dog Track for allowing us to use their facilities.

We thank International SOS for providing first class medical support, including an ambulance, on the day.

We thank the China Reds for touring and being such generous visitors.

To the Veterans, Sponsors, Supporters, Volunteers and Friends, on behalf of all the Vietnam Swans, thank you most sincerely for the manner in which you have embraced the concept behind the ANZAC Friendship Match and Weekend.

We trust that, collectively, we have laid the foundation for a long and enduring tradition of drawing peoples together – via a game of footy.

Two black armbands; one bright future.