Kev McMillan with Glenn Nolan prior to the 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match, Tommy's Bar.

At the 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match, of the money raised, approximately $1,000 was donated to the Vung Tau Veterans’ and Friends’ Children’s Fund. Below is an excerpt from the VTVFCF’s first newsletter prepared by Kevin McMillan.

The VTVFCF was formed as a fundraising group of Vung Tau expats in October 2010.  Prior to that time, a certain amount of fundraising activities had been undertaken for various projects but in a somewhat uncoordinated fashion.  Under the guidance of Peter Taylor (PT) the group began to focus on specific projects and to develop something of a future direction.

The group had previously undertaken significant works of this nature at the Da Bac Kindergarten to the North West of Long Tan and the next project identified was the existing Primary School at Nui Dat – at the Western end of the old Luscombe Airstrip Runway.

Since its formation, the VTVFCF has been involved in ongoing fundraising activities, completion of the works at Da Bac and laying the groundwork for the commencement of the Nui Dat project.  In addition, another 2 schools have been identified for possible future attention.

At the inaugural meeting it was also determined that the future direction of the group should focus on the refurbishment/reconstruction of existing Primary Schools and Kindergartens within Ba Ria Vung Tau Province.

Da BAC Kindergarten

Over the past 12-18 months the Da Bac School has been transformed.  At a total cost of around 300M VND, the school has received 16 new toilets, concreted and landscaped playgrounds, the installation of a fresh water bore and tank, new security screens and more recently new fans for all the classrooms.

To read more about the Nui Dat Primary School and their fundraising activities, click onto the  VTVFCF Newsletter.