Military History Conference – Melbourne and Online – Saturday 16 May 2026 9:00 AM – Sunday 17 May 2026 5:00 PM
The 30 year war in Vietnam, from 1945-1975, was brutal and devastating.
It killed and maimed hundreds of thousands of both soldiers and civilians on both sides and destroyed communities across the country. Australia, as an ally of the US and equally adverse to the spread of communism in South-East Asia, made its contribution to support the Republic of Vietnam, opposed by the southern Viet Cong and northern Vietnam People’s Army. Fifty Years later, historians and veterans of the conflict reflect on what happened, why and deal with the consequences of that war.
History Guild is supporting this conference, Vietnam 30/50, which is MHHV’s 6th biennial two day conference. It brings together veterans, historians and authors to discuss and present new, perhaps controversial, research and findings on the strategies and operations of the Vietnam War, from the French Indo-China war to 1956 to the withdrawal of the US, Australia and other allies by 1975. The conference will also examine the impact of the war on the soldiers and families of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam.
From the USA, Dr Stephen F. Maxner, the Director of the Vietnam Centre and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University, will present in person, complimenting keynote speaker Professor David Horner and fascinating new insights into Vietnam 30/50 from a range of first class presenters including Major-General (Rtd) Jim Barry AM MBE RFD ED, Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Mike Buckridge RFD, Lieutenant-Colonel Murray Duckworth CSM, Dr Andrew Kilsby, Dr Thomas Richardson, Martin James, MDefStud, Major-General (Rtd) Mike O’Brien CSC, Professor Nathalie Huynh Chau Nguyen, Dr Daryl Moran, Dinh Nguyen, Dr Bob Hall, WO1 Blair Tidey, Commander (Rtd) Max Speedy DSC RAN, Brigadier (Rtd) Kevin O’Brien CSC, David Phillipson, Brigadier (Rtd) David Webster AM CSC, Dr Mia Martin Hobbs, Craig Tibbitts, MPhil and Luke Johnston.
Download the full program here
Dates: Saturday 16 May and Sunday 17 May
Location: Tobruk House, 44 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park, Victoria, 3206
Tickets: Includes Lunch, Morning and Afternoon Tea and Coffee
2 Day MHHV Member Ticket – $150.00
2 Day Non-MHHV Member Ticket – $180.00
2 Day Concession/Pension Ticket – $150.00
1 Day ticket (either Saturday or Sunday) – $100.00
2 Day Live stream access – $100
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