House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2) 52 2 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Grievance Debate Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA Mrs VLAHOS House of Assembly Taylor Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (15:28): I rise today to speak about the Northern Vietnam Veterans branch of SA which I have the pleasure to visit regularly in my electorate of Taylor at Edinburgh. I would also like to promote an inspirational community event coming up this August which they host and have hosted for a number of years with committed veterans. I have had the pleasure of working with the northern suburbs sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia since I was elected in 2010, and I have regularly assisted them. However, more recently I had the pleasure to sit down over a warm cup of soup last week and present them with a large linen flag which they will use in the sad task of farewelling members at their funerals. I also had the pleasure of presenting them with a small cheque as a contribution to the upcoming Walk for Charity which will be held shortly for the fifth time. The Walk for Charity is a five-day trip which takes the group throughout South Australia's countryside, leapfrogging from town to town to raise funds for charity. Having hosted the event in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, the association is now raising much needed funds for three major charities. These are Legacy, the Long Tan Bursary (sponsoring children's education) and Foundation Daw Park (sponsoring the Repatriation General Hospital for the returned servicemen and women, where I used to work). The walk departs on Monday 13 August from the northern suburbs sub-branch rooms and will progressively make its way to the Long Tan service at Montague Farm to be held on Saturday 18 August. Using a bus, the group will travel throughout many towns in regional South Australia and progressively stop to walk and collect donations from local residents. During this time, VC Keith Payne and Northern Vietnam Veterans will speak at local schools on the contributions that our veteran community have made to our nation and the local area. Through sponsorship and collections, the association and its dedicated members hope to raise considerable funds to support these worthwhile charities. I, together with Zoe Bettison (member for Ramsay), will be joining them on their final day of walking. I encourage others to do so. I wish them the very best and encourage all members, especially the northern suburbs members, to get behind this important community event that raises valuable funds for useful works.