Local Vietnam veterans Hank Kreemers, John Blackwell and John Phoenix have announced that vital upgrades will go ahead at Seymour’s Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk.
Photo by
Billie Davern
When Private Richard Norden was posthumously awarded the distinguished Victoria Cross medal, local Vietnam veterans knew that vital work needed to be done at Seymour’s most iconic monument. Now, thanks to successful fundraising efforts, that work will go ahead.
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In 2024, Pte Norden was awarded the VC, more than five decades after he died while on active service with the Australian Capital Territory Police.
The Vietnam veteran was recognised for the bravery he demonstrated on May 14, 1968, when in the Bien Hoa province in Vietnam, heavy enemy fire fell on his platoon.
Pte Norden VC risked his life with little cover protecting him, running back into enemy fire three times to rescue his wounded peer and recover the body of another.
For local Vietnam veterans, the announcement of Pte Norden VC’s new honour was both a long time coming and a call to action.
In July, 2025, members of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia - Mitchell sub-branch launched a fundraising campaign to honour the VC medallist at Seymour’s Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk, where every Australia soldier who fought at Vietnam is remembered with their names etched across 106 glass panels lining High St.
The task of properly honouring Pte Norden VC was considerable for local veterans and Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk committee members, with the team needing to remove the current panels honouring the four other Vietnam veterans who had been awarded the VC, and creating five new ones.
After more than one year of fundraising, construction is finally commencing.
“We have now begun the construction process of this long-awaited addition to the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk, where the beautifully matured trees and grasses will be a stunning backdrop to this significant and memorable new memorial,” committee member Carolynne Burgess-Blackwell said.
“The walk attracts thousands of people to Seymour every year and this new memorial will become an important part of the visitor experience.”
Ms Burgess-Blackwell said the committee was pleased with how the design of the upgraded memorial looked.
“It’s been done in keeping with the walk,” she said.
“It’s healing for veterans, it’s sympathetic to what we’ve already done at the walk ... and it is highly educational for those who want to learn about these men and the people who actually participated in the action they were involved in.
“People are already doing military tours of this area. To be able to add this into it is fabulous. We’re looking forward to getting it done.”
The upgrade would see five new panels installed at the walk, honouring each of the five Victoria Cross recipients, including Private Richard Norden, who was posthumously awarded the honour.
Photo by
Billie Davern
President of the Mitchell sub-branch John Phoenix said he was grateful to all who had contributed to the group’s fundraising efforts.
“We would like to say thank you to everyone who is supporting us to construct the Victoria Cross Memorial at the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk. Your support has been wonderful,” he said.
“We, the Mitchell sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, Victoria branch, have great pleasure in announcing that we have received a $30,000 grant from the Victorian Government and the Victorian Veterans Council through the Victoria Remembers Grant Program.
“This brings our funds raised to $105,000, but unfortunately still leaves a shortfall of $20,000. We’d really appreciate your help to meet our goal.”
To support the Mitchell sub-branch with its remaining fundraising goal, contact Mr Phoenix on 0410 576 201.
The Seymour memorial also has QR codes displayed, where visitors can donate to the cause.
The new addition to the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk will officially be unveiled on Vietnam Veterans’ Day, August 18, 2027.
