A Short History of the VVAA
The Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (VVAA) had its
advent in the Vietnam Veterans Action Association formed in the
late 1979 as a result of the perceptions of Vietnam veterans that
exposure to chemicals was causing
problems with their health and the health of their children. The
chemicals, known by the generic name of Agent Orange included
2,4,5,T and 2,4,D, a byproduct of which is the extremely
poisonous substance TCDD or dioxin. The problems ranged from
minor irritation to lethal, with symptoms such as skin blisters,
itching, flushes, nasal problems, blurred vision, respiratory,
cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, gastro-urinary muscular and
nervous system disorders, cancers and tumours. This was often
exacerbated by psychological disorders caused by what was later
diagnosed as post traumatic stress disorder.
The Association fought an uphill battle against government
indifference, including the bitter disappointment of the now
discredited 1983 Evatt Royal Commission on the Use and Effects of
Chemical Agents on Australian Personnel in Vietnam. At the same
time there was a very real feeling that the RSL had not accepted
the Vietnam veterans, and nor would it pursue the concerns of
this group with the vigour they believed that those concerns
warranted. This feeling was never stronger than during this
period, when the VVAA and the RSL were absolutely opposed.
The gradual successes of the VVAA in the following years came
as a result of much hard work and lobbying. The Vietnam Veterans
Counselling Service was established as a direct result of the
action of the VVAA, and it is now an integral part of treatment
regimes, not only for veterans, but also for the survivors of
traumatic events such as the Port Arthur Massacre.
This was followed by the establishment of the
Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder Clinic in Heidelburg, which now extended its
treatment to St John of God Hospital in Sydney, together with
visiting services to various rural locations. Lifestyle courses
permit veterans to contribute to their own well-being, learning
how to cope with problems and adapt their lifestyle to best suit
themselves.
The bitterness engendered by the political response to
veterans’ concerns about their health and the health of their
children coloured the attitude of the Vietnam Veterans
Association of Australia for many years. It is only lately that
positive action by both the Department
of Veterans Affairs and the VVAA has resulted in a
relationship where the concerns of veterans are being addressed.
The VVAA is represented on a large number of Government
committees as a respected part of the Ex-Service community and is
a major contributor to debate, legislation and administration
involving veterans.
The VVAA remains a wholly volunteer body, whose sole interest
is the welfare of veterans and the families of veterans. It has
strong representation in every State and
Territory, and very close ties with equivalent organisations
in the United States
and New Zealand. The relationship between the now R&SL and
the Association has matured into one of mutual respect, and many
members of the Association also enjoy membership of the R&SL.
Current issues involving the Association include the recently
released results of the Vietnam Veterans’
Mortality Study, (commissioned by the Department of Veterans
Affairs) and following through on the self-reported issues
revealed in the long-delayed Vietnam
Veterans’ Health Study, including spouses and children. The
Mortality Study revealed that Vietnam veterans have a death rate
7% higher than the general male population, with deaths from
cancer 21% higher, prostate cancer 53% higher, lung cancer 29%,
ischaemic heart disease 10% and suicides 21% above the general
male population. This is a cause for grave concern, and work
continues to ensure that the results of this study are reflected
in Repatriation Medical Authority and Departmental documents. The
nominal roll of Vietnam veterans was released in 1997, although
it should be noted that the value of this work is in its
contribution towards the Mortality and Health Studies. In
addition to this, the End of War List
for this war has just been compiled, and this will result in a
review of awards which were recommended at the time but which
were not awarded due to the imposition of medal quotas. All of
these things contribute to addressing the issues of concern to
veterans. The results of the Health Study were released in April
1998, and sadly, confirmed the worst fears of veterans in
relation their health, and the health of their children. The VVAA
is committed to accomplishing, quickly, accurately and
completely, the validation which the government requires.
It will then move to achieve the Association's
stated aims in regard to the Health Study outcomes.
Over the years there has been a persistent media presentation
of Vietnam veterans as ‘victims’. The Association believes
that this is counter-productive. This is not an image that the
VVAA wishes to perpetuate either for itself or for its members.
Rather, it sees Vietnam veterans as achievers. Vietnam veterans
have reached the highest level of business, professional and
political ranks within Australia, and every one of them who has
overcome psychological or health problems in order to raise a
family and live a relatively normal life has overcome adversity
in order to achieve. Vietnam veterans aren’t victims,
they are achievers.
The Badge - details of the VVAA Badge
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