BURSARIES AWARDED TO CHILDREN OF VIETNAM VETERANS

Thirty university and TAFE students, whose fathers served in the Vietnam War, will receive an Australian Government bursary to assist them in their first year of tertiary study.

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Danna Vale, said the Long Tan Bursaries, each worth $6000, are designed to assist the children of Vietnam veterans in making the transition from secondary school to tertiary study.

“Bursary recipients are selected for their academic merit and commitment to achieving their goals. Each of these young people has shown enormous talent and tenacity worthy of the Long Tan Bursary,” Mrs Vale said.

“Bursaries have been awarded to students across Australia, including seven in Queensland, six in New South Wales, five in Victoria, four each in South Australia and Tasmania, three in Western Australia and one in the Northern Territory.”

The Long Tan Bursary was established in August 2000 in response to the findings of the Vietnam Veterans’ Health Study, which highlighted the importance of providing educational assistance to the children of Vietnam veterans.

“The bursary strengthens the support available to Vietnam veterans’ children and enhances their opportunities to pursue the career of their choice.”

The Long Tan Bursary is open to Australian Vietnam veterans’ children up to the age of 25 who are planning to enrol in their first year of full-time tertiary education.

The $6000 bursary is available in addition to other education support for veterans’ children, including the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme, Austudy, Abstudy and the Youth Allowance.