Defence captain Dylan Frost, defence mentor Kelly Quigg and defence student Max Chetcuti welcome the community to commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day with Seymour College. Photos: Billie Davern.
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Billie Davern
Seymour’s Vietnam Veterans’ Day ceremony is far from over, despite the town’s veterans declaring that last year’s service would be the last they would lead.
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Instead, Seymour College’s vocational major and defence students will take on the massive responsibility and honour as part of their Planning and Implementing a Community Project unit.
The school’s defence mentor, Kelly Quigg, said it was important to educate students about the region’s military story.
“One of the most rewarding parts of my role is helping our students connect with the rich defence history of our local area,” Ms Quigg said.
“Our school has a proud tradition of attending and supporting all local Vietnam Veterans’ Day, Remembrance Day and Anzac Day ceremonies.
“This year, however, is particularly special to us. For the first time, Seymour College VM students will be leading the organisation of and delivering the ceremony — and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Leading the ceremony will be defence student Max Chetcuti and defence captain Dylan Frost, who both insist they aren’t nervous about delivering their speeches.
Each student has military ties in their family and has been involved in past ceremonies.
“I’ve been to multiple with my dad, so I know what’s going to happen and how it’s going to run,” Max said.
“I’m all right with it, I’m not nervous at all.”
The ceremony will take place at the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk on High St, Seymour.
A number of local names have stepped up to help the students deliver the ceremony.
Mitchell Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia sub-branch president John Phoenix and Seymour RSL sub-branch president Matt McLaughlin have been instrumental in helping the students organise proceedings.
One of the challenges was securing a catafalque party with limited notice, however the school managed to pull through.
“We are incredibly grateful that the School of Armour catafalque party will be in attendance,” Ms Quigg said.
“Their presence adds such significance and formality to the ceremony and we can’t thank them enough.”
With the ceremony no longer being led by local veterans, Ms Quigg said it was important to keep the tradition alive in town.
“We’re really hoping for a strong community turnout to lay wreaths, reflect and show support to both our Vietnam veterans and students who are stepping up to honour them,” she said.
“This is a solemn and meaningful occasion and an honour for our school and our VM students to carry forward this legacy of remembrance and respect.
“We just hope it’s a really good turnout because it will be sad to see last year being the final one, considering how they were all welcomed, back in the day.
“Thank you doesn’t seem to be enough for our veterans.”
The Seymour College students will be leading attendees through the Vietnam Veterans’ Day ceremony on Monday, August 18, from 11am at the Vietnam Veterans Walk on High St.
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