College Information & Events
14 February
At the end of the 2023 school year, the Year 11 Modern History students (including me) were fortunate to hear from Bill Akell and William Dobell (my grandfather) about their experiences of the Vietnam War. Throughout the course of Term Three (2023), the class had been learning about the Cold War from our wonderful History teacher Mrs. de Zoete-Spiero (while Mr. Bawden was on long-service leave). After learning about the Vietnam War, I talked with Mrs. de about having my grandfather and his friend who fought in Vietnam, come to talk to our class.
Mrs. de jumped at the chance when my grandfather said he and his friend were both available to come in. My grandfather and Bill both offered in-depth explanations about their experiences, with Bill talking extensively on The Battle of Long Tan (Australia’s most costly battle in Vietnam) which he fought in. The class and I hung on to their every word as they painted a picture of what life was like for the Australian soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War. I still can’t fathom that they went to war when they were only 2 years older than what I am now.
I think I speak for my whole class when I say that the talk was very enlightening and offered a new perspective on war veterans, the way they fought, and what they gave for us.
Ben Watt