John and Stan - instrumental in getting Aussie Rules up and running in Vietnam

Yesterday, on the invitation of Veteran and footy nut, Stan Middleton, Swannies National President Phil Johns attended the Noble Park RSL Club in Melbourne.

Each Thursday, the Vietnam Veterans meet at the Club.

The afternoon begins informally with people mingling and telling stories and enjoying a snag and a hamburger. Then comes the Honour Roll which honours the anniversaries in the coming week of those Aussies and New Zealanders who fell during the Vietnam War. The Ode is then recited. There’s a minute’s silence. And then comes the joke of the week to lift everyone’s spirits.

It was a special place to be.

During general business, visitors to the RSL Club were welcomed. The Vietnam Swans were welcomed and Phil Johns was invited to address the audience.

Feedback and interest in the ANZAC Friendship match was very strong. Chris Hayes, father of St Kilda’s star player, Lenny Hayes was there and is hopeful to come to Vietnam towards the end of the year.

One person in the crowd, John (see photo), organised Vietnam’s first ever known Aussie Rules match back in 1966. John was in trouble for some reason and a Major Glendinning, offered John the chance to escape punishment on one condition… That condition was that he set up Aussie Rules in Vietnam.

A great day and all members of the Vietnam Swans have been invited to attend the Veterans Thursday functions.

Thank you very much to the Noble Park RSL Club and Stan Middleton for making the Vietnam Swans feel so welcome and we hope to see many of them in Vietnam.