The Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (VVAA) had its advent in the Vietnam Veterans Action Association formed in 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 by-product 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 (PTSD).
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 (VVCS), now branded 'Open Arms', 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 current serving members of the Defence Forces.
This was followed by the establishment of a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinic in Heidelburg, which then extended its treatment to St John of God Hospital in Sydney, together with visiting services to various rural locations. Lifestyle courses permitted 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 over the last few decades 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 many 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 all States. The relationship between the RSL and the Association has matured into one of mutual respect, and many members of the Association also enjoy membership of the RSL.
Since the long delayed recognition of Vietnam veterans by the Government and the Nation in the form of the Welcome Home Parade in 1986, there have been many milestones achieved. The Vietnam Veterans Health Study, the Vietnam Veterans Mortality Study, and the Vietnam Veterans Family Study to name just a few. There are also other studies currently being conducted by various Health authorities around Australia, and the Royal Commission into Defence Veteran Suicides is due to report to the Government in 2024.
In the 1990's and early 2000's there was a persistent media presentation of Vietnam veterans as 'victims'. The Association believed that this was counter-productive. This was not an image that the VVAA wished to perpetuate either for itself or for its members. Rather, it saw 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. Hence the adoption of the philosophy that Vietnam veterans are not victims, they are high achievers.