General News
14 August, 2026
Residents to pause and reflect
Vietnam Veterans Day will be held locally this Sunday.
Vietnam Veterans Day is an opportunity to reflect on service peoples’ enduring resilience overseas and at home, commemorated locally this Sunday.
Local veterans, their families, and the wider community will gather to remember a conflict that touched so many this weekend.
Vietnam Veterans Day on August 18 marks the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, recognised as one of the fiercest battles Australian soldiers fought during the war.
Local remembrance will start on Sunday, August 16, from 11 am at the memorial in Phillips Gardens.
“Together then, together again,” the memorial’s words read.
Maryborough’s Vietnam Veterans Association president Lee Turton said veterans were shunned following the Vietnam War, so they had to rely on one another.
“Everyone turned their back on us,” he said.
He remembers the tug operators refusing to help them out of port, he remembers veterans being called murderers and baby killers upon their return, and he remembers the local RSL questioning if they could join.
“The depth of feeling of the Vietnam vets has held everything together but we still don’t accept the fact of the way we were treated,” he said.
“It’s like a wound.”
Yet times have changed, they’re the old veterans now running the local RSL, and community sentiments have warmed.
The local sub-branch’s Ben Holscher has seen it.
He said a stranger came up to him, gave him a hug, and thanked him for his service.
“I nearly friggin went into tears. It was beautiful,” he said.
Mr Turton said his grandkids have continued to honour veteran legacies.
“I’m very proud of them for what they’ve done,” he said.
Mr Turton hoped to see community members show their support this weekend.
“We’d like to see the community behind us,” he said.
Mr Holscher gave the reason why.
“It’s a sign of respect and appreciation,” he said.
A dawn service will also be held on August 18, at the main gate of the Maryborough Cemetery, at 7.30 am.
Poppies will then be placed on the graves of known Vietnam veterans.