“A Scar That Will Never Heal”

2023 marks 50 years since the 1973 proclamation of the end of Australian involvement in the Vietnam War.

The anniversary was commemorated on January 11, 2023, which marked the beginning of official anniversary commemorations throughout the year.

“More than 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam, over 3,000 were wounded and 523 lost their lives in the longest conflict Australia was involved in during the 20th Century,” Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said.

“This was a war that was at times contentious at home, and for some veterans their service was not recognised as it should have been.

“The Australian Government is honouring those who served, and throughout this commemorative year will specifically recognise and honour the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans and their families.”

RSL Mackay Sub Branch President Ken Higgins OAM was conscripted into the Australian Army during the Vietnam conflict in 1968, aged 20, and said he is pleased the government is honouring those involved in the conflict.

“We felt that the conscription of young 20-year-old Australians into the military forces to go to Vietnam at the time seemed to be the thing to do and we did it, but the aftermath of it was horrific,” Mr Higgins said.

“When we were conscripted to go over there to die for Australia, we never even had the right to vote on who our government was.

“That is a scar that will never ever heal.

“The tragedy of losing 523 people was bad, but for us to forget them is worse.

“We need to remember they gave their lives in the service of the country and they should be remembered for that, and we thank the Government for highlighting that.”

Mr Higgins said local ANZAC Day services will follow a Vietnam War theme, leading up to Services of Remembrance to be held across the country on August 3, 2023.

“I look at ANZAC Day as a reflection on our service and the sacrifice of the 100,000 that died for our way of life in Australia, but also the hundreds of thousands that have been traumatised by war,” he said.

“We need to honour those people who served and died but we also need to be mindful that war’s a horrible thing.

“Most veterans aren’t interested in war; what they’re interested in is peace.

“Society should be able to talk their way through differences.”

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RSL Mackay Sub Branch members standing L-R Ken Higgins, Steve Haidle, Graham Jackson, Allan Ney. Seated L-R Ray Higgins and Col Walz. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

A photo taken in South Vietnam in 1969 depicting the body of Private Robert Buchan lying on a stretcher surrounded by soldiers including Ken Higgins (seated second from left). Photo credit: Peter Ward

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