National Vietnam Veterans Museum History

More Equipment, More Space Required
Photos and stories were added to the collection both during and following this tour. The need for space arose and when the Methvens returned to San Remo, next to Phillip Island in Victoria. A garage was arranged and this became the first Museum open to the public.

Quick Growth and Further Expansion
The garage became crowded as more was donated and again, space became an issue. They took the plunge and arranged for a site which had previously been 5 shops. From that point, the museum started to flourish and take on greater significance. That happened in 1999, and the Museum has been open to the public 7 days per week since then. It was run and manned by volunteers and came under the auspices of the Patriotic Trust Fund (set up after the Second World War by the Victorian Government) and as a consequence, the books of account are audited annually. This enables all donations to the Museum to be tax deductible.

The Situation Changed. Where to next?
By late 2003, we were again running short of space and at the same time, the building was sold and the new owners wanted possession. With the need to relocate, various options were considered as to location. The Melbourne metropolitan area was regarded as too expensive. Geelong district was also considered but, there was no clear advantage. The current region gets about 3.2 million tourists per year and is a destination in its own right. Phillip Island is essentially a nature park, but it also hosts the International Super Bikes, the Moto Grand Prix and the V8 Super Cars. It was felt that Phillip Island was affordable with enough activities to encourage most of our crowd to visit their Museum and to stay awhile.

A New Start
This time things had to be different. We needed to own the place so, that we had permanency. With the concurrence of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, we managed to purchase 1 ¼ acres next to the Phillip Island airstrip. Terms and conditions were very favorable (no interest) and we will own it outright in 10 years.

A Bellman hangar was purchased and transported (read dumped) on site. From there, we went through all the normal problems with bureaucracy for land re-zoning, building permits, technical drawings etc.
The sea-change environment brought a number of ‘new' veterans to the Museum Sub-Branch and two committees were established. One was for the normal welfare and pension obligations – and one specifically to focus on the museum for business planning, fundraising, grants etc.

The Development Phase
It was one thing to have the grand ideas but, it was another to get plans and finance. Finance was a problem. As we have never made a commitment that we didn't have the cash for, the need and use of volunteer labour became a priority and many veterans and local businesses answered the call. We received a couple of early grants for which we were very grateful. The first major one being $30,000 from DVA. This was appreciated, but clearly that doesn't go far with building materials.

The Vietnamese Community put on a fundraising dinner for us which raised $20,000 - but by far, most funds have come from our own veteran community through donations from sub-branches, RSLs, and all of the individuals who purchased either a family or individual brick in our ‘Buy-A-Brick' campaign, which is still continuing. The Victorian Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club and RAASC Association also raised nearly $20,000. By this time, there was an urgency to relocate as we were paying rent as well as paying off the land at the new site.

The Need for Funds
We had big plans but had to stage the development of the new Museum to fit our cash flow. Apart from the commitment to purchase the land, we have never purchased anything beyond our current cash reserves. Consequently, we had planned to open on a relatively small scale, early to mid-2006.

An Eagle Lands
The plans received a welcome and unexpected boost when the conditions of a grant that we had submitted were altered to a significant level from $30,000 to $250,000. This grant was the result of a joint application with the Bass Coast Shire to the Regional Development Victoria's Small Towns Development Fund. At the same time, a Federal grant was approved for $58,500 (plus GST) from The Regional Partnerships Program. We suddenly needed a lot more detailed engineering planning for components, as well as gaining the necessary building permits to cover the expanded project.

We Move and Hold Our Breath
While this was being done, we closed the San Remo Museum site on the 15th November 2006, re-located to the new permanent Phillip Island site and re-opened on the 15th December 2006. We were far from ready but, those that paid a visit were all excited by the progress and some made repeat visits to watch our development. The grand opening was set in place and this caused a massive lift in activity, with many volunteers turning up to lend a hand.

The Grand Opening
On the 9th March 2007, the National Vietnam Veterans Museum, Phillip Island was opened by the Premier of Victoria, Mr Steve Bracks MP in front of around 2000 excited veterans, families and dignitaries. It was an overwhelming success with media coverage far greater than was anticipated. The National Vietnam Veterans Museum vision had been achieved.

Vision for the Future
The possibilities for the Museum are immense and there are already short, intermediate and long term plans in place for further development. But realistically, they must be staged.

Our audio-visual narrator in the holograph audio display is attracting tremendous attention in its current tent display within the Museum. Inclusion of a number of computer-generated and interactive visual images and a Sound and Light Show extravaganza are in the future plans to help bring the Museum to life.

Our library will continue to expand. It is already comprehensive and includes computers with internet access that are available for serious research projects relating to Australia's longest war.

The latest grants allowed provision for disabled access to the mezzanine viewing platform. This is serviced by both stairs and a wheel-chair access lift.

Our aim is to become a viable, self-sustaining entity which can cover all running costs, including a full-time manager / curator and staff. To assist in this a merchandise shop, kitchen and café facility are included in the building and an entrance fee applied. The facility also includes welfare and secretarial offices.

The Cafe is currently being run by the committee and volunteers although plans are in place to outsource its operation in the longer term.

The shop area, for the counter sale of memorabilia, operates daily and includes an online store to facilitate national and overseas business. The facility includes welfare and secretarial offices.

The valuation of the building and land – owned by the veteran community – is in the vicinity of $2 million.

Looking Forward
It was important in planning that the museum reflects a focus of unity for the Vietnam veteran community. We are delighted that this has been achieved. There are many veterans who have stated, either personally or in covering letters, that they are not affiliated with any club or organization. It is important that the National Vietnam Veterans Museum is accepted as belonging to all Vietnam Veterans; there are no second-class citizens in our community.

It is handy to be able to find literature that expresses the Museum's purpose accurately. In its Code of Ethics (2004), The International Council of Museums describes a museum as:

“A non-profit making, permanent institution, in the service of society and of its development which is open to the public, acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits, for purposes of study, education and enjoyment, the tangible and intangible evidence of people and their environment.”

This is exactly what the Museum stands for – With veteran and public support, this important National Museum will continue to progressively move forward and we hope, that you as veterans, your families and visiting members of the public, will be proud of it and a part of its future.