Market opening at Long Xuyen DPR/TV/1180

The Vietnamese people of Long Xuyen hamlet in southern Phuoc Tuy Province have a new market by courtesy of the Australian people. Long Xuyen's market was built by local labour with funds provided by the Australian External Aid Programme, and construction was supervised by the Civil Affairs team from the 1st Australian Logistic Support Group at Vung Tau, four miles to the south. Most of the 1600 villagers turned out for the opening where the joint guests of honour were the Commander of 1ALSG, Colonel John Stevenson of Campbell, ACT, and the Mayor of Vung Tau, Major Tinh. The villagers of Long Xuyen are former refugees who were resettled in 1967 and the market will be a shopping centre where they can sell their fish and other produce. A guard of honour of members of the South Vietnamese Government's Revolutionary Development Cadre and young girls in their traditional ao dais, together with a band of young musicians welcomed Colonel Stevenson. Later, in a speech to the villagers, he expressed hope that the market would be a lasting asset. Both Colonel Stevenson and Major Tinh then cut the ribbon which opened the market and which also opened a new chapter in the lives of Long Xuyen's villagers. Also identified: Lieutenant Colonel Peter Gration of Torrens, ACT.