VETERANS are gathering in Bendigo to discuss action on aged care and welfare services, as well as to teach school students about the conflict in Vietnam.
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Nearly 48 years after the last Australian combat troops left Vietnam, veterans still come together to advocate for rights and needs, Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia's state vice-president Brendan Kincade said.
"We are now at the ages where we are looking at nursing homes and aged care to make sure no-one slips through the cracks," he said.
The VVAA's state council is preparing to meet on Saturday at the Bendigo RSL.
"It's a chance for people from every sub-branch in Victoria to sit down with their peers and discuss anything that's on their mind, whether that's about veterans ageing or governments not doing the right thing," Mr Kincade said.
"Whatever it is, we air it, then the state executive will take it from there."
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Meanwhile, the VVAA's education team has brought a free exhibition to Bendigo's Soldiers Memorial Institute, which will be displayed on Thursday and Friday.
The unit's work is often targeted at younger generations, VVAA Bendigo sub-branch president Paul Penno said.
"Students are the ones who have had no first-hand exposure, it's all new information," he said.
"I'd suggest that this education team has been quite instrumental in changing public attitude towards Vietnam veterans and their experiences.
"It's gone from one of rejection, and in some cases hostility, to acceptance, and in some cases respect and acknowledgement."
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