Minister's visit to 1 ALSG 8 Field Ambulance DPR/TV/665

One of the first official tasks for the Minister for the Army, Mr Malcolm Fraser, after his arrival in Vietnam on his recent tour was the presentation to the Vietnamese Junior Military Academy at Vung Tau, of water pipes for the new reticulation scheme, chairs to allow the cadets to sit at their meals and a refrigerator for the Academy's dispensary. The presentation was made at the Academy only minutes after the Minister was met at Vung Tau airport by the Commander of the 1st Australian Logistic Support Group, Lieutenant Colonel L.G. Chambers, of Puckapunyal, Victoria. After the academy presentation, the official party which included the secretary for the Army, Mr Bruce White, and the Commander of the Australian Force in Vietnam, Major General Vincent, moved to the Logistic Support Group area. Although the party arrived in bright sunshine the moonsoon rain was close behind. As rain poured down, Mr Fraser inspected 8 Field Ambulance where he received a briefing from Lt-Col Meyer, the Commanding Officer of the unit. From 8 Field Ambulance, the Minister and his party inspected other sections of the Logistic Support Group area, but due to the rain were forced to remain in vehicles. When the rain eased towards the end of the inspection, the official party inspected the almost completed Australian Forces Club on foot . The party then left the area.