Jenny Oldland, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

A casual coffee catch-up between Roger Hogben and John Edwards turned into something more lasting when the pair began discussing the day’s headline — the 50th anniversary of Australia’s withdrawal from the Vietnam War.

From that conversation, the idea for a Vietnam War Memorial Walk between Edithburgh and Coobowie was born.

What began as an ambitious dream is now a reality, with crews this week installing 25 storyboards along the three kilometre coastal path, each detailing an Australian unit involved in the war.

The walk’s detailed, unit-byunit storytelling makes it the only memorial of its kind in Australia.

Working as a formidable team, Roger brought firsthand experience as a National Serviceman with 4RAR/NZ in Vietnam, offering insight into military and veterans’ associations, while John, a former local councillor, provided local knowledge and his own list of community contacts.

And, with the official opening on Vietnam Veterans’ Day — Monday, August 18 — just around the corner, to say John and Roger are excited would be an understatement.

While the pair set their sights high from the outset, John said they never imagined the level of support they have received from across Australia.

Special guests at the opening will include General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd), along with Dr Matt Anderson, director of the Australian War Memorial, who will travel from Canberra for the event.

One of the day’s highlights will be the arrival of a Huey helicopter, with team leader Vic Battese and his flight crew flying in from Nowra, New South Wales for the celebrations.

“Vic is ex-RAN who served with the United States 135th Combat Helicopter Group and he’s that keen on what’s being planned, he has been in touch almost weekly,” Roger said.

The Huey will make a brief landing in view of the trail’s opening before continuing to the Edithburgh oval, where the public will have the chance to meet the volunteer pilots and take photos.

The Edithburgh Sporting and Community Club will open from 11am, offering a range of lunch options for visitors to enjoy.

“Behind the Lines” at Light Church

A powerful performance will provide a fitting finale to the Memorial Walk opening, with “Behind the Lines” telling the story of Australians at war.

The production features evocative images, a moving narrative by acclaimed actor Celine Davey drawn from newspaper reports, poems and letters from home, and contemporary Australian songs — including John Schumann’s iconic “I Was Only 19”, an anthem for Vietnam veterans.

The event, headlined by John and The Vagabond Crew, will begin at 2pm in the Light Church auditorium, with local band Cruzin’ Blues opening the show.

Only a handful of tickets remain so, if you haven’t booked yet, organisers caution you to act quickly with the event expected to sell out.

Tickets are available at https://tinyurl.com/68cv795v. 

Vietnam War Memorial Walk Official opening program

Monday, August 18

• 9am: RSL Remembrance Service, at the Edithburgh War Memorial
• 10.30am to 11am: Official opening of the Vietnam War Memorial Walk by General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd), with guest speaker Australian War Memorial director Dr Matt Anderson from Canberra
• Noon: Huey helicopter on display on the town oval and Edithburgh Community Club open for lunch.
• 2pm: Behind the Lines, performed by John Schumann and The Vagabond Crew, supported by Cruizin’ Blues, in the Light Church auditorium.

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 5 August 2025.