The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA064
Friday 4 July 2008
FIVE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN STUDENTS AWARDED LONG TAN BURSARIES
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, today announced five students studying in South
Australia, all children of Vietnam veterans, will receive up to $9000 each to help them complete
their tertiary education.
Mr Griffin said the Government recognised the challenges children face due to their parents’
Vietnam War service.
“The Long Tan Bursary scheme aims to help hard working students from Vietnam veteran
families to take up the challenge of tertiary education and achieve their long-term study goals,”
he said.
“The bursary is awarded to students, including mature age students, who have achieved good
academic results and who have overcome personal challenges to successfully complete their
secondary education.
“These students have proven their ability and determination to pursue their careers and I am
pleased the Australian Government has been able to support them in their studies.”
Long Tan Bursaries will be presented to 53 students across the country this year.
This year, five students in South Australia have received bursaries:
Sara Cadd of Hectorville, Bachelor of Nursing at the University of South Australia;
Nicole Dikkenberg of North Haven, Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Arts,
International studies, at the University of South Australia;
Carly Dunn of Willunga, Bachelor of Education at Flinders University.
Rebecca Johnston of Gawler, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law, at the University of
Adelaide and
Anna Taheny of Sefton Park, Bachelor of Education in Design and Technology at the
University of South Australia
Mr Griffin said 250 sons and daughters of Australia’s Vietnam veterans had benefited from the
bursary scheme since its introduction in 2000. The scheme was introduced in response to the
findings of the Vietnam Veterans’ Health Study to provide financial support to children of
Vietnam veterans with their tertiary education.
The bursary is named after the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966, in which Australian
soldiers of D Company 6 RAR encountered and fought off an enemy force of up to 2500 troops
in a rubber plantation north of the village of Long Tan. Eighteen Australians lost their lives in
the battle.
Media inquiries: Laura Ryan 0437 863 109
To receive the Minister’s media releases automatically by email please go to minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm
NEWS 
