Orphans run around Phil Johns as he addresses the crowd at the ANZAC Friendship Match

National President, Phil Johns provides the following wrap up of the weekend of the ANZAC Friendship match.

Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters

45 years ago, a lot of TV footage from Vietnam was being being beamed into Australian homes. Last Sunday, we were at Tommy’s 3 in Vung Tau, Vietnam, watching footage of the Collingwood-Essendon ANZAC match from the home of Australian Rules Football, the MCG. Vung Tau had been the home of the Australian Logistics base during the War.

The previous day, the Vietnam Swans played our Inaugural ANZAC Friendship Match as the Hanoi Hawks and Saigon Saints at the Greyhound Racing Track. We had a crowd of 400 supporters including Ambassadors, Vietnamese orphans, Consul Generals, Veterans, Defense Attaches, western children, University Presidents and adults. Just like at the MCG, we also observed a minute’s silence. But unlike those at the MCG, we couldn’t hear any trains rattling through the safety of the Jolimont railway yards. All we could hear were our own thoughts and reflections.

Highlights from Friday 23 April – Sunday 25 April 2010:

Friday

  • Afternoon, Swannies visit two orphanages. From babies to adolescents, we held them, played with them, laughed with them and distributed small gifts.

Saturday

  • Morning: tour to Nui Dat, Australian Army Base. Our group of 120 was led by two veterans, Kevin and John, and Warrant Officer Dan Kindness we were given an excellent detailed history.
  • Afternoon: Inaugural Vietnam Swans ANZAC Friendship Match. Hanoi Hawks beat Saigon Saints by one point. Tommy’s Bar raised over $1,000 for two local orphanages. Acknowledged the service of “5 Yr Swans” – Trav, MJ, Micky Francis, Scotty Stacey, Dave Kainey, Potsy and Willy.
  • Evening: Tommy’s Bar and greyhounds.

Sunday

  • Morning: Dawn Service at Long Tan and tour
  • Afternoon: Watch telecast of Collingwood Vs Essendon ANZAC Day Match. Vietnam Swans raise $1,030 for swimming program in Hoi An, Central Vietnam. Merchandise included a footy signed by Nathan Buckley and Gary O’Donnell (from their recent trip to Vietnam), an Essendon jumper signed by current Captain Jobe Watson and A Swannies footy kit.

It was an amazing weekend and judging from the feedback of those who were involved, it was very well received.

We seem to have successfully negotiated the political sensitivities. Next year, in Year 2, we expect to invite an international team.

The people we need to thank for organising this weekend come from Hanoi, Hoi An, Saigon, Vung Tau and Singapore. But special thanks to Dan Kindness and Glenn Nolan.

Attachments / Links

  • For a review of the whole weekend, check the Inaugural ANZAC Friendship Match.
  • For the match report, prepared by Monkey, click onto Vung Tau Match Report.
  • For a report regarding the swimming program, prepared by MJ, click onto Hoi An Swimming Program.
  • For more reports and articles, see www.thevietnamswans.com
  • For photos of the weekend, click onto the Vietnam Swans Web Album
  • To watch the Channel 7 TV program on You Tube about Nathan Buckley’s father and Keith Gent returning to Vietnam (this was part of the same trip when they joined the Vietnam Swans footy clinic a couple of months ago), check out You Tube Part 1 and Part 2.
  • To see Red Gum’s excellent “I was only 19” video re the Vietnam War, click this link on You Tube.

Congratulations again to everyone involved in putting together such a special weekend.