The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA075
Friday 25 July 2008
SIXTEEN NSW AND ACT STUDENTS WIN LONG TAN BURSARIES
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, today announced sixteen students from NSW and the
ACT, 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 have been presented to 53 students across the country this year.
This year, sixteen* students in NSW and the ACT have received bursaries including:
Jenny Chen of Nowra, Bachelor of Commerce, University of Canberra;
Daniel Clements of Sawtell, Bachelor of Commerce, Newcastle University;
Elle Durrant of Salamander Bay, Bachelor of Design (Architecture), Newcastle University;
Brooke Milligan of Newcastle, Bachelor of Development Studies, Newcastle University;
Emily Morath of Mt Keira, Bachelor of Commerce and Accounting, University of Wollongong;
David Oakden of Port Macquarie, Bachelor of Nuclear Science and Technology, Wollongong
University;
Steven Pearce of Narromine, Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, Wollongong University;
Aaron Shiels of Ballina, Bachelor of Games and Interactive Entertainment, Queensland University of
Technology;
Alexander Sutton of North Rocks, Bachelor of Science, Sydney University;
Ophelia Tynan of Canberra, Bachelor of Arts, Australian National University;
Zoe Van Munster of Chipping Norton, Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Teaching Secondary), University
of Western Sydney, Bankstown campus;
Sarah Johnston of Howlong, Bachelor of Commerce, Latrobe University, Albury campus; and
Nicole MacKay of Cobargo, Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in Education, Wollongong University.
Mr Griffin said 250 sons and daughters of Australia’s Vietnam veterans had benefited from the bursary
scheme since it was introduced 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
Editors note: *Three of the Long Tan Bursary recipients have asked to remain anonymous.
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