A new name for the VVCS
In April 2007, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson, announced that the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service would be renamed the VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service.
A national gifting ceremony was held on 17 April 2007 in Adelaide, to mark the new name of the service. At this ceremony, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs unveiled a plaque and a poster that commemorates the name change and acknowledges the history of the service.
A plaque and poster will be placed in each VVCS centre. A copy of the poster is available here.
Why was the name changed?
The Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service was founded by and for Vietnam veterans and their families. The Vietnam veteran community had lobbied the Australian Government for counselling and support services to assist Vietnam veterans who were experiencing difficulties arising from their service.
Over the years, the VVCS evolved and today assists Australian veterans of all conflicts and peacekeeping missions and their families as well as eligible members of the Australian Defence Force.
However, there was evidence that many ADF members and veterans of more recent conflicts and peacekeeping/peacemaking missions considered that the VVCS was available only to Vietnam veterans due to its name.
The name was changed to ensure that the veteran community is aware that the VVCS is an inclusive service, available to the wider veteran community.
How was the new name chosen?
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs consulted extensively with ex-service organisations, VVCS clients and stakeholders in considering changing the name of the Service.
There was widespread support for changing the name to be more inclusive of all VVCS clients. However, this was balanced with a strong regard for the history of the Service and the need to ensure the role of the Vietnam veteran community in establishing the VVCS was acknowledged.
The new name, VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service, retains the VVCS acronym, while better reflecting the breadth of those who can access the Service.
A new ‘look’ has also been developed for the VVCS. This incorporates a heritage line, A service founded by Vietnam veterans, that will be used on promotional products to acknowledge the role of the Vietnam veterans community in establishing the service.
The new ‘look' also features an image incorporating a number of Vietnam servicemen and elements of the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial. A silhouette of family members reflects the range of people the VVCS can assist.