Last night in Saigon, Shag get's on Josh's Couch with his Dad, Mick - and provides some light relief to the Essendon drubbing in the ANZAC Day Replay.

National President, Phil “Fabbo” Johns gives us the National Update

Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters

  • ANZAC Day Replay in Hanoi and Saigon – and Kev MacMillan.
  • Star of Gallantry award received by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Harry Smith.
  • Heritage Round and Asian Champs
  • Swannies to play Victorian team
  • Irishman to play for Swannies
  • Footy around the region
  • Swannies set to announce two new sponsors
  • Photos of Cambodian match available
  • Details of the 2010 Vietnam Swans AFL Grand Final Parties
  • The Count Down Clock
  • Closing thought

ANZAC Day Replay last night in Hanoi and Saigon – and Kevin MacMillan

Last night in Hanoi and Saigon we had the ANZAC Day Replay between Essendon and Collingwood. More than twenty attended in Saigon including the Dads of Josh and Shag. Special Guests to Josh’s Paddock included Shag, Mick (Shag’s Dad) and Fabbo.

Meanwhile, we are just four days away from Vietnam Veterans Day on 18 August which marks the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, 1966.

For those of you who attended our ANZAC Friendship Match in Vung Tau this year, you will remember Kev Macmillan. Kev was the Veteran who led one of our bus tours on the Saturday morning. At the beginning of the match, he carried the Match Ball to the field umpires in the centre of the ground. At the end of the match, he presented the BOG Medal to Heath Ellis.

Kev is currently in Australia being “nuked” with radiation therapy for a cancer that had developed on the side of his face. He says he’s “positive about the prognosis and so far (has) responded well to the surgery”. He warns us to “start planning for my return to Vietnam!”

You Betcha, Kev! All the Vietnam Swans look forward to seeing you back here very soon.

Star of Gallantry award received by Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Harry Smith

Lt. Col. (Ret'd) Harry Smith who was awarded the Star of Gallantry, received it last week.

During the week, Kev also forwarded some news about Lt Col. (Ret’d) Harry Smith who finally received his Star of Gallantry award just last week.

As described by Wikipedia, the Star of Gallantry is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force and is awarded for “acts of great heroism or conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril. After the Victoria Cross, it is the highest of the Military gallantry awards in the Australian Honours System.

“In August 2008, Harry Smith was awarded the decoration for his leadership and gallantry during the Battle of Long Tan in the Vietnam War. Smith was originally recommended for the Distinguished Service Order following the battle, but this was subsequently downgraded to the Military Cross. The award of the Star of Gallantry to Smith came as a result of several years of campaigning to the Australian Government resulting in an independent review which recommended the award.”

Side note: Bruce Beresford is currently shooting a film to be titled, “Long Tan“, which is expected to be released in 2011. Other films by Bruce Beresford include Breaker Morant, Don’s Party, Driving Miss Daisy and The Club.

Heritage Round and Asian Champs

The 2010 Asian Champs logo

Heritage Round will happen again on 28 August 2010 in Hanoi between the Hanoi Hawks and Saigon Saints.

This round will be particularly important as we build up to the Asian Champs, in Shanghai, in October. A big turnout from HCMC is expected as we try to increase the level of interest in this year’s Champs. The actual match will be played on the Saturday and Hanoi is planning supporting functions for Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday lunch time.

Former Swannie, Patrick Stringer, now resident of Shanghai, has organised an amazing deal for us at the Radisson Hotel during the Champs.

The new 2010 Asian Champs logo has been released (see picture to the side).

Go the Swannies alumni!

Swannies to play Tarrawingee (from Victoria)

Daniel at the 2008 Swannies Golf Day, Melbourne

Daniel, 2008 Swannies Golf Day, Melbourne

Former Swannie, Daniel Hogarth is set to return to Vietnam – with his footy club, Tarrawingee, for their end of season trip. The proposal is to play a match against the Vietnam Swans in Saigon on Sunday, 19 September, at RMIT University. Then the Tarrawingans will spend some time in Central Vietnam before making it to Hanoi in time for the 2010 Vietnam Swans AFL Grand Final Party.

Some background on Daniel: he travelled on the then Hanoi Swans first overseas tour in 2004 to Malaysia. He has also played in several of the Vietnam Swans Golf Days in Melbourne which are held each year on 29 December. Another Swannie, Will Martin is also good friends with Tarra’s Boca.

Go the Swannies alumni!

Irishman to play for Vietnam Swans

Benny McDevitt currently plays for the Belfast Redbacks in Ireland. It looks very likely that he will be moving to Hanoi in mid September – and he has just stumbled across the Swannies’ website. Benny says,

It has made my day knowing that Aussie Rules is being played in Hanoi / Vietnam. I would love to join the team! This would be great for me as I have aspirations to play in the International Cup next year (in Australia) with Ireland and was worried about moving and hindering my chances.

No chance of the Swannies hindering anyone’s chances, Benny. So get that McButt of yours onto the plane as quickly as you can!

Footy around the region

Today, the Thailand Tigers play the Jakarta Bintangs in Pattaya. On our Heritage Round weekend, 28 August, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia will play a Tri Nations Cup in Singapore.

Swannies set to announce two new Club Sponsors

The country has been awash with rumours that the Vietnam Swans are about to announce details of two new Club sponsors.

At this stage, the Club will neither confirm nor deny anything. Having said that, the smart money seems to be on:

The Vietnam Swans expect to announce full details in the coming week.

Photos of Cambodian match available

Photos of the recent Cambodian match are now available on the Swannies Web Album.

Details of the 2010 Vietnam Swans AFL Grand Final Parties in Hanoi and Saigon (HCMC)

Details of the 2010 Vietnam Swans AFL Grand Final Parties shall be announced this week.

The Count Down Clock

  • 6 Weeks – The 2010 Vietnam Swans AFL Grand Final Parties, Hanoi & Saigon (25 September).
  • 9 Weeks – the Asian Championships, Shanghai (16 October)

For the Swannies full Calendar of Events, click here.

Closing thought:

Would an Australian visiting Vietnam start honking their horn? Maybe even every day?

Maybe not maybe.