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In 1974 a small group of young men who had served in South Vietnam met at the Geelong R&SL with the aim of forming a Vietnam ex-servicemens association. Their intention was to keep alive the camaraderie they had experienced in the Vietnam War. In contrast, the then fledgling Vietnam Veterans Action Association’s mission called for government acceptance and repatriation benefits on the effects of chemical exposure (Agent Orange) and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) on veterans. Note also that the Dept of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and the Returned and Services League (R&SL) did not support Vietnam veterans as the Vietnam war was deemed to be a 'conflict' and not a 'declared war'  At that time, the R&SL was also opposed to the use of the word 'veteran' as it felt the term was too 'Americanised' After a number of names were considered, the group finally settled on the ‘Geelong Vietnam Association' (GVA) ultimately to become a sub branch of the 'Victorian Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia' and therfore a member of the National body. (VVAA)

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The Geelong Surcoast Veteran's Centre is now called the 'Geelong Veterans Family Welfare Centre' (located at Geelong R&SL BELMONT) which assists our members (and indeed all veterans) throughout the City of Greater Geelong, the Surf Coast and Golden Plains Shires. At the local level, the G&D VVAA sub-branch is focused on the wellbeing of Vietnam veterans. The G&D VVAA organises, participates and maintains projects which include sport and exercise, social interaction, remembrance services and memorials plus family support, to assist veterans with effects from the Vietnam War. The continuing strength of the G&D VVAA lies in the tireless voluntary work of individuals, their families, and friends. As long as there are veterans who are socially isolated or in need of assistance, the effort must go on. To keep us focussed on the task, we need look no further than the VVAA's motto:

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"Honour the Dead but Fight like Hell for the Living”