1996 –2024
The National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM) was founded by Vietnam Veterans to help other veterans cope better with their experiences both during the war and after their return to Australia.
In 1996, Vietnam Veteran John Methven and his wife Krishna joined the ‘Vets Connect’ journey around Australia. With fuel funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), their Land Rover pulled a display trailer of John’s war memorabilia as a mobile museum. The aim was to reach out to the many veterans who had ‘gone bush’ and make them aware that the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (VVAA) had been formed to lobby for proper recognition and improved welfare for all veterans affected by the war.
During and following this tour, other veterans added their memorabilia, images, and stories to John’s collection. So, in March 1998 when the Methvens retired to San Remo, near Phillip Island in Victoria, a garage became the first Vietnam Veterans Museum open to the public. Donations of memorabilia continued to arrive, space became an issue, and the collection moved to a nearby shop in 1999.
Run by volunteers, the museum came under the auspices of the Patriotic Trust Fund (set up after the Second World War by the Victorian Government). But by late 2003, the ever-expanding museum was forced to re-locate again, and with the support of the VVAA, 1¼ acres of land was purchased next to the Phillip Island airstrip (our current location).
A second-hand Bellman hangar was purchased and transported to the site by a group of committed veterans. They formed the VVAA Museum Sub-Branch – one unique foundation member was the Methven’s pet dog, Jack. Two committees were established — one for the sub-branch welfare and pension obligations, the other to focus on business planning and fundraising for the museum.
The first major grant was $30,000 from DVA. Then the Vietnamese community donated $20,000 to help build the museum. The Victorian Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club and Royal Australian Army Service Corps Association also raised nearly $20,000. A joint application with the Bass Coast Shire to the Regional Development Victoria’s Small Towns Development Fund provided $250,000, along with a Federal grant for $58,500 (plus GST) from the Regional Partnerships Program. Most funds, however, came from the veteran community, through donations from VVAA sub-branches, RSLs, and individuals who contributed the museum’s ‘Buy-A-Brick’ campaign.
On 9 March 2007, the new National Vietnam Veterans Museum was opened by the Premier of Victoria, Mr Steve Bracks MP in front of thousands of veterans, their families and dignitaries. The National Vietnam Veterans Museum vision had been achieved.
Some years later, a second hangar was added and a workshop to support an aircraft restoration program established. Then, in December 2012, the NVVM became a company limited by guarantee, and an independent museum.
In 2014, the Board developed and adopted Master Plan 2025. Part of that Master Plan included analysing the availability of additional land for Museum expansion.
As the years have passed so has the number of items being donated and to do our Collection justice, the Board begun the process to build a climate-controlled contemporary Museum to protect and display the Collection for future generations.
The National Vietnam Veterans Museum on Phillip Island remains the spiritual home for many Vietnam veterans. We protect and preserve their legacy and heritage arising from their participation in the Vietnam War. We seek to remember, interpret and understand the experience of the veterans of the Vietnam era and the enduring impact of that war on society.
25 Veterans Drive, Newhaven, Phillip Island VIC 3925