We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Untitled image
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
An embroidered black and gold Navy badge. It has a black background. In the centre there is a black kangaroo with three red stripes on a gold background. Written in gold around the kangaroo is Royal Australian navy. At the botton of the badge on gold background with black writing is Helicopter Flight Vietnam.
It is reported that soon after 7 RAR was raised in 1965, the battalion adopted the pig as its mascot after the commanding officer rebuked them for the unsatisfactory state of the soldiers' mess at Puckapunyal saying, "You are nothing but a mob of pigs".
Wooden shield-shaped plaque, walnut stained, with 3 metal embellishments. Top left: Round burgundy disc with white pig in Australian uniform, including rifle. Top right: gold number 7. Centre: Gold Royal Australian Regiment emblem with crossed rifles, kangaroo wattle and crown, on a burgundy background.
DUTY FIRST / ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT
7rar pigs, vietnam, shield, emblem, jeffries, plaque, terry jeffries, 7rar, 7 royal ausralian regiment, vietnam war
Standard issue item as used by Australian servicemen during the conflict in Vietnam.
Khaki army peak officer cap
Royal Australian Engineers badge.
vietnam, army, engineers, officer
Standard issue item as used by Australian servicemen during the conflict in Vietnam.
A white cap with black peak.
RAN?8505 66 075 6956/Bryson
vietnam, petty officer, ran, royal australian navy
Standard issue item as used by Australian servicemen during the conflict in Vietnam
White hat with black peak. Full colour bullion embroidery Petty Officers rank badge.
P 185 sticker/ADI Vic 1989/8405 66 075 6056
navy, petty officer, vietnam
Standard issue item as used by Australian servicemen during the conflict in Vietnam
Australian army bush hat jungle green.
hat, vietnam, army
Standard issue item as used by Australian servicemen during the conflict in Vietnam.
Blue woollen side hat worn by airman on airfield and on barrack also worn with ceremonial dress.
Vic 1977/8405 66 090 0104/A222463 (SVC No ) Falvey/ Size 56
raaf, airman, ceremonial dress, hat
Part of the estate collection of Vietnam veteran Sgt T J Nicholson, Service no: 4410261, who served in 1st Armoured Regiment, Vietnam 1969-70.
Wooden shadow box frame with a maroon matt background containing an emu hat plume, a Hunter River Lancers silver plastic corps badge and yellow wool felt shoulder patch of Royal New South Wales Lancers.
Hunter River Lancers Royal New South Wales/ Lancers
hunter river lancers, royal new south wales lancers, nicholson, trevor nicholson
Standard issue item as used by Australian servicemen during the conflict in Vietnam.
M1 Steel helmet. Khaki green metal outer steel shell with leather chinstrap and a green board helmet inner/ liner with headband.
On inner: Buttfell 6101324 On outer: Fullerton 219911
vietnam, uniform, helmet, m1
A typical North Vietnamese army issue helmet.
Khaki green fabric covered pith helmet. Top part has 4 sections, each with a silver metal ventilation eyelet. Band separating top section from brim also has a metal eyelet. A domed metal vent at the top has 4 'arms. Inside strapping is green vinyl held in place by brown cord, and the chinstrap is brown leather with a silver metal buckle.
pith helmet, vietnam, uniform, north vietnamese, helmet
This item commemorates the war in Vietnam
A copy of three pages listing names and dates of performers in alphabetical order.
The Artists
artists, singers, entertainers, vietnam, concerts
This item contributes to an understanding of the impact that involvement in the war in Vietnam had on Australian servicemen.
A male singer holding a guitar in front of a microphone on stage and three males in the background.
abc, singer, brian may, ray gibson, comedian, christmas, vietnam, music
This item commemorates the war in Vietnam. It belonged to M F Hart, Leading Stores Assistant Victualling, Royal Australian Navy, who served on HMAS Vampire in November 1972.
A navy blue cotton baseball cap with with a black peak. Peak embossed with Navy insignia. Embroidered with HMAS Vampire in words and image on front.
H.M.A.S Vampire/ 11 NAVY
navy, h.m.a.s vampire d11, hart, vietnam, chief petty officer, hmas vampire., maxwell hart
This item commemorates the war in Vietnam and was a gift presented to the National Vietnam Veterans Museum by the Victorian chapter of the Vietnamese Community in Australia in 2012.
An olive green wine bottle with black screw cap. The label shows two armed soldiers in full pack with an Australian flag on the top left corner.
Vietnamese Community in Aust - Victorian Chapter 2012/"Lest We Forget/Side By Side: Hanh Quan Phoi Hop. 1962-1975/Vietnam inscription
1961 - 1975 -- veterans -- australia, wine bottle, vietnamese community in australia, vietnamese community
This item was purchased by serviceman Roger Budd as gift he brought back from Vietnam. it was collected as it contributes to an understanding of the experience of the family and friends of those who served in the war in Vietnam.
Blue silk pyjama jacket and long pants set embossed with silk thread in various patterns. Front opening has 4 elaborate black fasteners. Edges are bound in white.
pyjamas, silk, vietnam, souvenir, budd, roger budd
This item was purchased in Vietnam by serviceman Roger Budd as a gift. It contributes to an understanding of the experience of family and friends of those who served in the war in Vietnam.
Patterned mauve silk dressing gown lined with white silk. Has embroidered patterns and dark blue rickrack on cuffs, pocket and front openings.
silk dressing gown, vietnam, souvenir, gown, vietnamese, silk, budd, roger budd
Letter written by 8RAR soldier in Vietnam to "Dear De" outlining events about an incident with the detonation of a mine, number killed and injured. The writer states he was not involved in the incident as he was serving at the fire support base, not the battle front.
Two paged letter on Aust. Forces Vietnam paper dated Sunday 1st March. "Dear De". Blue ink writing on headed paper. Envelope has a red and blue striped border. Air Mail. Vietnam map. Aust. Forces Vietnam underneath.
Australian Force Vietnam Coat of arms header/ Blue ink/ 8RAR/ Air Mail
letter, wayne maschette, aust. force vietnam, sig pl, suppt co, 8rar
Christmas card supplied by 8 RAR for soldiers to send to family and friends.
Christmas card with RAR V111 in gold embossed with Australian emblem on grey textured paper mounted on cream colored card. Inside there is a picture of the RAR emblem on white brick structure in front of a building. Hand written message to family in blue ink. Black ink message for Christmas.
Blue ink "To mum, Dad, Robyn and Rex / Bill Black type " Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year from" / 8th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment.
rar issue, maschette, 8rar, private, 5716538, christmas card, 8 rar, correspondence
This book is about courage. As a fighter pilot, I flew 229 combat missions in Vietnam, primarily in the F-4.
vietnam, rf-4c phantom, colonel barry jack howard.
A collection of coloured photographs and information celebrating 100 years of service to Australia
royal australian air force, 100 years of service
The Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation was conferred by General Cao Van Vien, Chief of the Joint General Staff, Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam on 24 October 1970, and officially presented to the 8th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment by Lieutenant General Do Cao Tri, Commander of II Corps and Military Region 3 Vietnam on 29th October 1970. The citation was awarded for "always displaying high morale while co-operating and assisting the Vietnamese people in their struggle against Communism and to defend peace and freedom .. in Military Region III ... Though fighting under the most difficult conditions, the members of the 8th Battalion, 1st Australian Task Force still fought bravely and determinedly and had many glorious victories. Their most remarkable military operations took place in the area of the Long Hai hills... (They also participated ) ... in the civic action programme to assist the local population ( in Military Region 3) to reconstruct their houses, roads, bridges, markets and schools etc. ... thereby bringing great credit to the Royal Australian Armed Forces."
2 X paper documents, one in English the other in Vietnamese (mounted with white matt in timber frame). Each has been printed with a decorative blue border, main text in black, official stamp in bottom right corner is red. A blue medal with red and yellow ribbon is printed in centre top of both documents.
Republic of Vietnam/ Gallantry Cross/Chief of the General Staff? Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam/ Army Meritorious Commendation/ The 8th Battalion, 1st Australian Task Force/ For the gallantry they displayed under enemy fire./ This Meritorious Commendation ((GALLANTRY CROSS)) is added with (a) palm (leaf)./KBC day 24 month 10 Year 1970
8rar, koo, arthur koo, citation, gallantry cross, gallantry cross with palm
In Taking The Lead, air Commodore Mark Lax examines the major elements that contributed to Air Force's application of air power in the defence of Australia, and in supporting our national interests.
the royal australian air force, strategy of raaf
The Royal Australian Air Force has in recent years undergone significant change.
the royal australian air force, vietam
In the years before the First World War, Australia - alone of Britian's Dominations - follow the mother country's lead in laying the foundation of military air power.
the royal australian air force, raaf
This book is the prsonnal story written by Cliff from his early childhood years to spending time in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot.
vietnam, helicopters, alan reed
The Vietnam War years are officially classified as the period between 5 August 1964 and 7 May 1975. During that time over nine million Americans were on active duty. Over 3.4 million personnel served in Southeast Asia.
vietam, misty, american servicement
The story of Australia's Air War in Vietnam 1964 - 1972
35 sqn raaf, 161 recce, target charlie, australian servicemen, new zealand servicemen
Illustrated with nore than 300 full-colour and duotone photographs and maps, this history covers th entire Vietnam War from the first entrance of U.S. places to the prisoners of war.
u.s air force, u.s. army, marines, u.s. navy, vietnam
The Phamtoms of Bridie is a highly readable blend of an engaging yarn and a fascinating portrayal of operational service in Vietnam as an infantry company commander leading some 100 fine young national service and regular soldiers in cloase quarter jungle fighting.
vietnam, national service, sas, bravo company 6 rar, operation bribie
The air war in South Vietnam seemed endless to those who fought it.
south vietnam, army, australia. royal australian navy, air force, cia
Highest Traditions is the story of No: 2 Squadron. Formed in Egypt in 1916 as part of the fledgling Australian Flying Corps.
raaf, no2 squadron, alan reed
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
