The Education Team
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The Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, St Marys Outpost Branch has an Education Team ready to assist with the education of students on the Vietnam War Era. This team offers a unique and invaluable educational resource comprised of volunteers from the veteran community who can:
- Give a comprehensive team presentation to secondary students relative to the History Syllabus Topics on Australia’s Involvement in the Vietnam War (see presentation format below – this presentation may be used while studying the Vietnam War topic or for revision purposes prior to assessment).
- Share personal experiences, memories and an extensive collection of Vietnam War equipment and memorabilia with students.
- Assist students study and assignment programs through individual and group interview.
- Provide family members to talk to students on the immediate and ongoing impact of Vietnam service on husbands and families.
We can also provide guest speakers for Anzac and Remembrance Day Services.
N.B. Presenters are selected for their suitability to work in schools and are governed by a Code of Conduct...This program commenced in 2004...To date over 350 school visits have been conducted.
Education Team has presented to Schools including: Bede Polding, Birrong Boys, Blacktown Girls & Boys, Blaxland, Bonnyrigg, Bossley Park, Brigidine College, Bulli, Cambridge Park, Canterbury Vale, Caroline Chisholm, Cheltenham Girls, Colyton, Dunheved, East Hills Boys, Emu Plains JJC, Erskine Park, Evans, Gilgandra, Girraween, Glenmore Park, Glenwood, Heathcote, Jamison, Jindabyne Central, J J Cahill, John Paul II, Kingswood, Loreto Kirribilli, Marion College, Mary Mackillop College, Mamre Anglican, McDonald College, Monaro High, Mt Druitt, Nagle College, Nepean, Nepean Christian, Norwest Christian, Putland ETU, Randwick Girls, Richard Johnson Anglican, Riverstone, Rooty Hill, St Agnes College, St Andrews College, St Clair, St Clare’s College, Terra Sancta, The Hills Grammar, The Hills Sports, The Kings School, Windsor.
Veterans’ time is offered free to schools however school/student donations to cover administration and travel costs will be gratefully received.
Please make cheques payable to: VVAA ST MARYS OUTPOST SUB BRANCH.
ACT NOW TO MAKE A BOOKING! Email: 
The Presentation
Each Presentation consists of:
- 60’s Music – “These Boots Are Made For Walking”.
- Short Introduction of Veterans detailing their Vietnam Service.
- "I Was Only 19" (Redgum) – song and images from the Vietnam War.
- "Battle of Long Tan" story - emphasising The ANZAC Spirit.
- Explanation of: "Why Australian Troops went to Vietnam".
- National Service/Conscription Ballot – using actual birthdates drawn – students participate in this Conscription exercise. (A realistic experience for students.)
- Role Play by selected students – “What it was like to be a Combat Soldier” – students dress in combat gear and enemy gear – equipment/tactics discussed.
- Powerpoint presentation covering Events, Attitudes and Opinions from 1962-72 i.e. Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War..
- Powerpoint presentation - impact of War on Veterans and Family, covering:
- Agent Orange Issues
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- Vietnam Veterans Association
- VV Counselling Service
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Additional Topics (if time permits) – Veterans personal experiences:
- Welcome Home Parade – Sydney - 1987
- Dedication of Vietnam War Memorial – Canberra - 1992
- Question Time – from students and teachers – (We like to answer questions!)
- Hands On - Students invited to look at extensive range of gear and memorabilia and talk directly to individual veterans.
Equipment required: Data projector screen, large table space for display of memorabilia. Students – note pad and pen recommended.
Lesson time – 120 minutes (plus 40 minutes set up time prior to presentation).
Student groups – generally we address the whole year group together.
The Education Team will consist of three to four members.
N.B. Students MUST be supervised at ALL times by school staff.
Contact: Vin Cosgrove – Education Team Co-ordinator –
– for further information.
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*December 2011 marks seven years of operation for the Outpost Education Team Program. This pro-active program has been specifically designed to address NSW Board of Studies requirements for schools studying/researching Australia's Involvement in the Vietnam War.
The ongoing success of this project is evident by the number of schools utilising the E-Team presentation as part of their yearly teaching program. More information and photos of E-Team activities are available through the Education link on the VVAA St Marys Outpost Website.
Team outcomes for this year include:-
- 57 E-Team presentations involving 46 school visits (30 Government, 16 Non-Government) completed with a total of approximately 5425 Year 10 students.
- 25 Anzac Day/Remembrance Day Service guest speaker appointments attended involving approximately 12000 junior / senior students.
- 9 Individual student interviews given.
- 3 Community group presentations delivered.
- $10304.00 school/student donations to Outpost received in appreciation of E-Team involvement in school programs.
Sincere thanks to the following 17 veterans/wives who were directly involved with E-Team presentations or as Anzac/ Remembrance Day Guest Speakers throughout the year: Ron Blakely, Greg & Jude Cant, John Collyer, Vin & Nancy Cosgrove, Bill Cox, Bob & Lucy Devaise, Ted Fish, Gary Fizzell, Tony Fryer, Maree Johnson, Tony Mullavey, Jeff Perry, John & Joanne Stanford.
- Special thanks to all Outpost members for their ongoing support for this proactive, student/veteran interactive program.
- A 'Christmas Wishes' email will be sent to all schools utilising E-Team programs.
- Early bookings for E-Team programs for 2012 indicate another busy year ahead for team presenters.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUTPOST MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
Vin Cosgrove
Education Team Co-ordinator
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Outpost Education Team Report covering achievements/outcomes to date this year (July 2011) includes:
- 44 Year 10 school visits completed involving a combined total audience of (approx) 4,600 students.
- 5 student interview/recording sessions completed.
- 2 Community Group presentations delivered.
- 23 ANZAC Service guest speakers provided for schools involving (approx) 12,000 students.
- 16 Outpost members involved in presentations/guest speaker engagements.
Sincere thanks to all Outpost members involved in the Education Team program.
Vin Cosgrove
Outpost E-Team Co-ordinator
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Another busy and successful year for the E-Team draws to a close as schools look towards the Summer Vacation. Throughout 2010, eighty schools have utilised the E-Team for Vietnam History presentations and guest speakers at ANZAC and Remembrance Day Services. Additionally fifteen individual students have been supported with study and research assignments focused on Vietnam. Further, four community group talks have been given. In total E-Team Vietnam Veterans have connected with more than 21000 students.
For the delivery of the above mentioned E-Team achievements special thanks are due to the following: Greg & Jude Cant, John Collyer, Vin & Nancy Cosgrove, Bill Cox, Bob Devaise, Gary Fizzell, Tony Fryer, Bill & Maree Johnson, John Kinsela, David Patterson, Jeff Perry, John Stanford, Don Watters, Ray Westwell.
The involvement and contribution to E-Team programs by these Outpost members are greatly appreciated by the students, teachers and parents of schools visited. Thank you is also due to many other Outpost members for their general support of the E-Team Project.
Also worthy of note; 2010 school donations in appreciation of E-Team presentations exceed $9000.00, making the project totally self funding as well as contributing to general Outpost financial management.
Looking to the future, recent media reports have indicated that the Vietnam War Topic may be ‘stripped’ from the forthcoming National History Syllabus for Year 10 students. That matter is still under discussion. Advice from the NSW Board of Studies is that the current NSW History Syllabus will continue for 2011. That being the case a similar program of events and school bookings for the Outpost Education Team can be anticipated for next year.
As usual a Christmas Message will be sent from the Outpost Education Team to all schools visited throughout the year.
Merry Christmas,
Vin Cosgrove
Outpost E-Team Co-ordinator
