Phillip Island is well known for its penguins, surfing beaches and race circuit. But, the island, located around 90 minutes from the Melbourne cbd however, is also home to the National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM).
The Museum is a few minutes drive from the Bridge that links the Island to San Remo. It’s usually quite easy to find a car parking spot and you can sample some of the fare from the Nui Dat café. The café is a ‘relaxing place to have a cuppa and a light snack’.
Sonia Hogg, Sales & Events Executive at the NVVM, says the museum has ‘over 40,000 artefacts and memorabilia’. Some of the items on show that you may see include the conscription marbles, weapons, armory, uniforms, missing in action bracelets, helicopters, tanks – to name just some of the collection.
‘We have reassembled Caribou 231 and are making it into a classroom for our Education Program’, she adds.
There always seems to be something happening at the NVVM -from plays, exhibitions and much more.
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Like to become a volunteer?
The museum has a group of very enthusiastic volunteers, and they ‘need to apply and let us know their skills. We try and let them volunteer where they will be of most value and enjoy their environment’, says Sonia.
There is an interview by the volunteer co-ordinator and a training program that is set around a volunteer’s availability.
If you would like to enquire about becoming a volunteer at the National Vietnam Veterans’ Museum:
Telephone: 03 5956 6400 or visit their website
National Vietnam Veterans Museum
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm.
Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday.
25 Veterans Drive,
Newhaven, Phillip Island VIC 3925
www.vietnamveteransmuseum.org
It’s definitely worth a visit – there’s so much to see.
COMING UP:
****Behind The Wire***
Saturday 1st December 2018
Images and Stories of Vietnam Veterans