It is my privilege to present this report on the activities of the Vietnam Veterans (Neville Wallace Memorial) Children’s & Grandchildren’s Trust for the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.
During the past year the Trust received $16,361 in donations (c/w $17,750 in 2022). At the end of the year the Trust’s equity stood at $841,321 (c/w $791.835 in 2022). By any measure the ‘books’ are in good shape.
I acknowledge the strategic alliance/partnership arrangement we have with the New Zealand Vietnam Veterans and Their Families Trust. This has made a major difference to the workings of the Trust. I thank Sir Jerry Matapaere and his team for their valued support.
Since its inception the Trust has awarded 741 bursaries worth more than $399k. In 2024 we awarded 37 bursaries with an average value of $1,278 (c/w $833 in 2023). The assistance given continues to be wide and varied encompassing the whole gambit of education, sporting and cultural endeavour. 81% of the bursaries awarded went to first time applicants (c/w 94% in 2023) with four going to Australian based applicants (c/w one in 2023); 73% of awards went to the grandchildren of Vietnam veterans (c/w 89% in 2023); female recipients were ahead of their male counterparts 59% to 41% while 49%% of recipients were aged <20 years of age with the remainder split between those aged between 20-30 (27%) and those aged 31> (24%). Education continues to be our focus with 51% of grants directed there; sporting endeavour attracted 19% of our grants while cultural activities accounted for the balance (30%).
Our website www.vietnamveteranschildrenstrust.com is working well with applications being directed through the website Applications are not fully registered until the applicant completes Perpetual Guardian’s Beneficiary Payment Form and provides verified bank account detail along with identification documentation.
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There have been no changes to the Board over the past year. Can I thank my colleague Board Members, Kate Leys, Els Brown. Jenny Couchman, Peter Roberts and Keith Miller as well as Anita Killeen (our Honorary Legal Advisor) for their professionalism and support. I thank too Perpetual Guardian (the Trustee) for their work and their preparedness to engage constructively with the Board.
The Trust is in good shape. We can face the future with confidence.
Ross Miller, MNZM, JP
BOARD CHAIR
9 March 2024