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Long Tan Collection Remembers All Who Served
The against-all-odds victory by D Coy 6RAR in the Long Tan rubber plantation on 18 August 1966 has come to represent more than a single battle. This date is now set aside to commemorate and remember all who served in the war.
The 2016 Vietnam Commemorative Collection centres on the Long Tan 50th Anniversary, remembering the 108 men of 6RAR who confronted and overcame an opposing force of some 2000 Vietnamese. Importantly the collection acknowledges that this single battle, one of many fought by Australian forces in the War, reflects the spirit of all who served.
Lead commemorative designer and son of a Vietnam Veteran, Steve Rainey, believes the collection will be valued by people with a connection to the Long Tan battle as well as those who served in other areas during the war.
“Our collections must always acknowledge service. On the 50th anniversary of one of the most noted battles in the war the theme is obviously going to reflect the events of 18 August, but the Long Tan cross, which features in the collection, is widely seen now as a symbol of the war and all who served.
“One of the more dramatic images is that of silhouetted diggers moving through the plantation with the stark outline of the cross centred. This ghostly image gives pause for reflection.”
As part of the 2016 collection a special 50th anniversary Long Tan Cross pin was created which continues a design theme started in 2006 to mark the then 40th anniversary. The 50th anniversary pin is presented on a card that features a short description of the action on 18 August.
1966 was also the year Australian currency moved from pounds and pence to dollars and cents. Fittingly a 1966 leaping kangaroo penny featuring an image from the cross dedication service in 1969 is included in the commemorative collection.
“Commemorative pennies have a massive following because they reflect on the times we commemorate and help parents and grandparents explain how things have changed over the years. The brief outline on the presentation card gives a simple overview of the action at Long Tan and hopefully will inspire people to want to learn more about the battle and the war more generally.”
Steve says that while many pieces from the commemorative collections find their way back to Vietnam for use by local tourism operators, some designs, like the South Vietnamese flag incorporated in the 2016 commemorative medallion, are politically sensitive and are specifically for audiences outside of Vietnam.
“This antiqued brass medallion also features the United States Presidential Unit Citation awarded to D Coy 28 May 1968 for "Extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy".
