About the Vietnam Veterans Outer Eastern Melbourne (OEM)

At VVOEM we actively support and promote the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia mission "to assist all veterans, dependants and their descendants in all matters relating to their health, welfare and well being".

We are an unfunded not-for profit organisation, staffed entirely by volunteers.

We conduct our functions and activities in a wide range of locations throughout our Sub-branch region.

- VVOEM Focus, Principles of Operation and Constitution

- Activities and Events

- Health and Welfare

- OVVOEM Committee


Photo: Nui Dat * Concert at Nui Dat 1971

VVOEM Focus, Principles of Operation and Constitution

The OEM Sub-branch was formed following an Inaugral meeting held on 13 November 1994. With a current membership of around 300, it has grown to be one of the largest Vietnam Veteran Sub-branches within Australia. Although our core area includes the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges and the Outer Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, we also have a growing number of members from all parts of Victoria, as well as interstate.

VVOEM prides itself on being "The Family Friendly Sub-branch”. The Sub-branch mantra is “Vietnam Veterans helping and supporting fellow veterans”. A key focus is on social inclusion and the community engagement of our members.

Our Vision, Mission Statement, Core Values, Goals and Strategic Priorities are identified in our Principles of Operation document, which is also incorporated within our Constitution.

If you wish to belong to a progressive Vietnam Veterans organisation, and share our vision and values, we urge you to consider becoming a member of our Sub-branch.

Led by an Executive Committee and an active Support Group, a major contributor to the success of the Sub-branch is the role played by our dozens and dozens of member volunteers and a number of Activity Groups. This "helping your mates" and "sharing of the workload" approach encourages wide participation and works in everyones interests. More information on our activities is covered in the "activities" section.

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Health and Support

The health and support of Members is really the point of it all. VVOEM places a strong emphasis on 'grass roots' welfare, both 'proactive and reactive', and focuses on the social inclusion and community engagement of our members. We also maintain a strong advocacy role on Veterans' issues.

A 12 member Support Group (including 4 husband/wife couples) overviews our support/welfare programs. Throughout the year the Support Group also initiates a range of other projects to support our welfare needs.

We liaise closely with the Veterans Advocacy Centre at Boronia for specialist welfare advice and advocacy services.

* Right: "There's something moving in the water"

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Photo: Swimming exercises

Activities and Events

Our activity and event calendar features a combination of regular functions and events as well as a number of new and varied offerings. We are always prepared to look at new ideas that assist us in provide a varied and interesting range of activities.

We observe the commemoration days such as Vietnam Veterans Day/Badge Week, ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day. To promote the social engagement of our members, we also conduct many varied and well attended 'get together" days during the course of the year.

In addition to the VVOEM organised occasions, there are also a wide range of activities organised by our various Interest Groups. These include our Eastern Veterans Wives Group activities, our Gypsy Travel Group, Mens Coffee Morning, our "Sloggers" cycling group, Wives Lunches etc. All these groups are always very welcoming of new members.

Left: A large turnout for our Anniversary Dinner Dance.

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Photo: OEM Group Photo


VVOEM Committee 2023

COMMITTEE MEMBERS
President Allan Small AFSM   Membership Officer Judy McQuillan  
Vice-President/ Bob Farquhar   Assistant Secretary Val Bates  
Deputy Vice-President Ken Gregson   Committee Heather Lucas  
Secretary Ria Watkin   Committee Greg Best  
Treasurer Stephen Shortis BBus JP   Committee Ian Warton  
           

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