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The AVVRG was formed in 1990 by a concerned group of Vietnam Veterans, based on their observations of the devastation of the social and physical infrastructure in Vietnam, caused by the country's 20 year isolation from the West.

This was particularly evident in the former Province of Phuoc Tuy (renamed the Ba Ria/Vung Tau Province in 1975), which during the war contained the Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat and the Australian Logistic Support Group and RAAF support units at Vung Tau.

Contact was made with Vietnam Union of Friendship and the local People's Committee to identify area where assistance could be best provided. The AVVRG was incorporated in 1994 and since the AVVRG has raised funds for the construction of orphanages, child care centres, a medical and dental centre plus the provision of humanitarian aid in areas of poverty alleviation and environmental solutions. In recent years AVVRG has commenced providing medical education to major hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and rural hospitals in the Ba Ria/Vung Tau Province.

Today the membership of the AVVRG has broadened well beyond Veterans, their families and friends. Because of the nature and type of aid being delivered, the AVVRG has attracted medical professionals, business people, tradepeople and concerned members of the public who all emphasise with the aims and purpose of the AVVRG. Hence our motto 'Individuals can make a difference'.

Individuals Can Make a Difference

OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION


	To provide practical aid and assistance to the people of Vietnam in particular within the Province of Baria/Vung Tau but not excluding any other Province within Vietnam.

	To assist in building, medical, educational, agricultural, aqua cultural and reconstruction projects throughout Vietnam by all means within the Group’s power.

	To assist/implement educational programmes (including the provision of printed material) within the guidelines as set by the relevant education departments within Vietnam.

	To implement/provide medical assistance/programmes for the people of Vietnam, including in-country visits by Medical Teams.

	To foster and improve relations between the people of Australia and Vietnam.

	To provide aid by way of labour, advice, expertise, planning, materials, money, or whatever other means may be necessary to achieve the above aims.

	To take all steps necessary to become registered as an Australian non governmental organisation for the furtherance of the above aims.

	To apply for and obtain grants from charities, aid organisations and so forth and apply those grants to the above aims.

	To solicit support from the Australian Federal Government Departments (including Department of Defence) for the provision of transport, logistical support, medical teams, construction teams and the like to facilitate the above programmes and future programmes to be identified.

Individuals Can Make a Difference

AVVRG helping the kids of Vietnam

THE CHALLENGE

To ensure that our efforts were directed towards areas of greatest need and benefit to the community, a proposal was put to the People's Committee to undertake a review of needs in the Province. The results would be used as a basis to identify and prioritise future projects.

The immediate challenges to the group were:


	The forming of project teams with the necessary skills to travel to Vietnam and undertake projects.

	The undertaking of a review of the needs of the Ba Ria/Vung Tau Province in conjunction with the People's Committee and in accordance with Australian Government guidelines.

	Arranging sponsorships for the Ba Ria/Vung Tau orphan children.

These challenges were met and in August 1996 the orphanage at Ba Ria was opened. The story of fund raising, building, and members' involvement is given in our 'Newsletters'.

A sponsorship progamme has also been established to support individual children.

The challenge of more projects is continuing. For the latest work being undertaken by AVVRG, go to our 'Projects' section.

Your contribution will play a vital role in this reconstruction work and in the group's future as an effective aid organisation to continue to improve the life of residents (especially the children).

You may have skills, you may have contacts, or you may wish to join the group and in that way support the aims of the organisation.

Individuals Can Make a Difference

MEMBERSHIP

Current membership is over 300, with members in all states and Vietnam. You do not have to be a Vietnam Veteran to join. Membership is $A20.

Join NOW - Complete Membership Form

Membership Form (PDF)

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Individuals Can Make a Difference