.png)
Published: 07 July 2023
The Ellenbrook Football Club will honour Vietnam Veterans in a Battle of Long Tan Round against the Cockburn Cobras and have invited veterans to attend the match on Saturday, August 12.
The special event takes place in Round 18 of the Perth Football League, it also marks the club’s 400th league game with bounce down taking place at 3.05pm after a Battle of Long Tan service at 3pm.
Veteran and Ellenbrook Football Club life member Ronnie Hobbs said veterans should arrive by 2pm and will be looked after on the day.
“At half time we’ll put food on for the vets and money over the bar, those that come out on the day can sit back, relax and hopefully enjoy some good football,” he said.
“The more vets we get down there the better it will be.”
Ronnie said they always held an ANZAC Round at the Club which had always been supported by the Ellenbrook RSL Sub-Branch.
“It is days like these that veterans have a chance to get together, connect with their comrades and have a good day out,” he said.
“What prompted me to dedicate a particular round to a particular battle was a conversation I had a couple of years ago at ANZAC House.
“I spoke to a couple of old diggers who had fought in the Battle of Long Tan and I started to think about that and what we could do, and came up with the concept for a Long Tan Round.
“It will be Round 18, there were 18 soldiers killed in action that day, there will be 18 players wearing Battle of Long Tan jumpers.
“The number 18 won’t be worn that day.
“I have designed Long Tan jumpers and tried to make them mission specific to Long Tan, all the images tie into that era.”
The Club had 50 Long Tan jumpers made for the day, the 22 players selected to play on the day will have the first opportunity to buy their playing number.
All other jumpers will be on display in the veteran area and people will be able to bid in a silent auction from $100.
Once the game is done those that bid can pay and keep their jumper, all proceeds raised through the jumpers will be donated to the Ellenbrook RSL Sub-Branch.
“Steve O’Neil and the boys have always supported us, so this is a chance when we can give something back,” Mr Hobbs said.
Anyone who would like to attend the event please send your RSVP to president@ellenbrookeels.com by the 5th August 2023.
