Freedom club for Vietnamese veterans

By Shaun Inguanzo
VICTORIA’S first group-specific RSL day club has launched in Dandenong with organisers hailing it a success.
The Freedom Day Club has been established by the Dandenong RSL, funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and supported by the Springvale Indo Chinese Mutual Assistance Association to cater for South Vietnamese ex-servicemen who are living in Victoria.
The ex-servicemen fought alongside Australian troops during the Vietnam War and, according to Dandenong RSL Welfare Committee chairman John Filmer, suffered a similar, cold reception to that of their Australian counterparts.
The Freedom Day Club is the 38th RSL day club in Victoria and on Monday it enjoyed a successful launch with 75 South Vietnamese ex-servicemen attending.
Representatives from the DVA, and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Alan Griffin were in attendance along with Mr Filmer as the group enjoyed a game of carpet bowls before launching into other activities.
Mr Filmer said the activities would prevent veterans, all aged over 60 years, from falling into social isolation and would also keep them mentally stimulated.
The inaugural meeting was such a success that Mr Filmer said the Dandenong RSL expected next week’s to be even bigger.
“You know, not only do we expect the 75 people who came today will come back but we anticipate we will get at least another 20 people.
“They’ve all been laughing and having fun.”
The Freedom Day Club runs every Monday between 11am and 2pm at Dandenong RSL.