Success of health expo a special reward for Whangamata Vietnam veteran
Vietnam veteran Bob Storey had a special reason to be pleased with the success of the recent health and wellbeing expo in Manukau organised by Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand.
Mr Storey, a member of the Ranfurly Veterans’ Trust, volunteered as a connector for the expo, contacting other Vietnam veterans and encouraging them to register.
In the end more than 300 Vietnam veterans and their family members attended the expo, in which Veterans’ Affairs, working in partnership with Ranfurly Veterans Trust and Auckland University of Technology, brought together 16 veteran support agencies, providers and support organisations. Vietnam veterans in Auckland and Waikato were invited to the expo, which featured support and services in a “one-stop shop”.
Veterans met Veterans’ Affairs case managers, veteran support agencies and local service providers, received a health check, and were provided seminars and tools to support independent daily living.
Mr Storey, who lives in Whangamata, did a 12-month tour in Vietnam in 1970–71, but in a point of difference to most of those present at the expo he had served with an Australian unit.
“It was an interesting tour to that extent because the New Zealand soldiers were all full-time soldiers, but the large majority of the soldiers I worked with in the Australian Navy Sea Squadron were national servicemen,” he said.
“So they were young guys, 20–21, who three months earlier had just been walking around the streets. They were just put into the army and away they went.”
Mr Storey got an overwhelmingly positive response when contacting veterans about attending the expo, and said it was great that Veterans’ Affairs had seized the initiative in holding it.
“Certainly we’re not young, but we’re not old-old either. We’re 65 to 75 most of us, so we’re at an age where some assistance can make a lot of difference,” he said. “From simple things like long shoe horns, ranging right through to the more serious things, were all covered.
“I think it was a wonderful idea, because if you fix this now, we’re basically right to be able to live independently for quite a while yet.
“This was the first time my wife has attended something like this and she has been really impressed with the amount of information that’s been made available to us.”
While he did not serve in a New Zealand contingent, Mr Storey enjoyed catching up at the expo with his New Zealand army mates who did.
“Some I hadn’t seen in about 50 years — it was great,” he said.
Head of Veterans’ Affairs Bernadine Mackenzie said bringing together Veterans’ Affairs and affiliated organisations in one place was a great way for Vietnam veterans to get information face to face.
“We know the value in sitting down with our veterans and talking with them about what they need,” Ms Mackenzie said. “It helps us to make sure that they are getting the support they need for independent daily living.”
While the expo was a resounding success for those who attended, it is believed a large number of Vietnam veterans, about 600–700, are not accessing the services available to them through Veterans Affairs.
Vietnam veterans who are not currently accessing veteran support are encouraged to contact Veterans’ Affairs through the websitewww.veteransaffairs.mil.nz or 0800 483 8372.
