Vietnam War veteran Joseph Hopwood shares his journey from 3RAR service in Vietnam to finding crucial support through Camberwell Pompey Elliott RSL’s veteran assistance programs.
How Long Have You Been a Member at Camberwell Pompey Elliott RSL?
I’ve been a member since 2010, though my connection to the RSL and veteran community goes back much further.
How Did You Come to Join Pompey Elliott RSL?
It’s an interesting story about veteran advocacy. I was already an RSL member elsewhere when I applied for a DVA (Department of Veterans’ Affairs) pension. They came back saying I was never in Vietnam, so I didn’t qualify. I was pretty annoyed about that incorrect DVA record.
The only person I knew who could verify my Vietnam service was Peter Fraser, who was our platoon commander in 3RAR. He said, “That’s rubbish, we’ll fix this up. Come down for coffee and we’ll talk.”
When I went down to Tramways RSL – the predecessor to Pompey Elliott – I met Peter, along with Trevor Tonkin, Paul McCrohan, and a couple of other Vietnam veterans who have since passed. They actually produced a photograph with me in it as proof I’d been in Vietnam. That photograph shows our platoon – 2 Platoon, A Company, 3RAR – returning from our last major operation in 1968. Paul McCrohan is in that photo too, though you can hardly see him.
That’s what got me back in touch with these people I’d served with in Vietnam. They said, “Come on down to Tramways,” and that’s when my association with the Melbourne veteran community began. Then we made the transition to Pompey Elliott RSL in Camberwell.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Being an RSL Member?
Pompey Elliott is the most enjoyable RSL I’ve been in. It’s still at a size where it isn’t too big – all the members know each other and know a bit about each other. You can always talk to each other. It’s just a very pleasant veteran community space to go to. And I’ve used their veteran support services extensively.
What Veteran Support Services Does Camberwell Pompey Elliott RSL Offer?
When my wife died – and my previous dog died on the same day – that was a shock to the system. I’d also been dealing with heart problems and veteran mental health challenges, getting really dejected. I called the RSL welfare services and said, “Look, I need some help.”
They came and talked to me, which helped enormously with my mental health. The people at Pompey Elliott RSL have continued to check on me, asking how I’m going, sometimes giving me tickets to veteran events. Mark Dunn, our welfare officer, even contacted DVA support services on my behalf.
How Did the RSL Help You Get an Assistance Dog for Veterans?
That’s been the biggest veteran support program benefit. After my wife and last dog died, I was lost. Paul had been keeping an eye on me and suggested I try to get another dog. I’d been to the RSPCA – I was on very good terms with them, my other dog came from there – but they said I was too old and too fragile for a big dog. They wanted me to take a small dog, which didn’t suit me.
Paul told me about an organisation that provides assistance dogs for veterans and diggers. He also spoke to John Gosling, who used to work for Guide Dogs Victoria. John said he could get a failed guide dog for me through the RSL assistance dog program. The RSL paid all the expenses – I don’t know how much, but I owe them enormously for that veteran welfare support.
Tell Us About Your Assistance Dog
I’ve had him since August 24th. He’s just the best assistance dog for veterans. His only concern appears to be me – he follows me everywhere, makes sure I get up in the morning and go to bed at night. He gets worried if I spend too long on the computer.
He’s got me out walking again, which helps with veteran physical health. I was using a stick and walking very slowly when I got him. Now I can walk without a stick and reasonably fast. He’s trained to walk at my speed, so if I’m slow, he’ll slow down, and if I want to walk quickly, he’ll walk quickly.
You Migrated from England. Tell Me About Your Journey to Australia and Military Service.
I was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire. My family migrated to Australia in 1963 – the same year the Beatles came – settling in South Australia. My father was a World War II veteran and RSL member.
I was called up for Australian national service in 1967 – interestingly, I was still an English citizen at the time. I went to Vietnam as a reinforcement with 3RAR (3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment), 2 Platoon, A Company. That photograph I mentioned – the one that proved my service – shows us returning from our last major operation in 1968. Just two days before that photo was taken, we’d had two killed and seven wounded in a battle. We actually had to withdraw in the face of opposition that was too strong. One of those killed was like my best mate – he’d shown me the ropes as a reinforcement. They were killed just days before they were due to return home. It must have been devastating for their families.
When 3RAR came back, they left me in Vietnam and I went to 9RAR for a short while before returning to South Australia.
How Did Your Military Career Develop After Vietnam?
After Vietnam War service, I extended my service and was offered a Thai language course at Point Cook – it was a 12-month course with only two students. That led to a military intelligence career with Intelligence Corps, working as a SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) analyst. I spent most of my army career in civilian clothes, working for ASD (Australian Signals Directorate). They also taught me Laotian, French, and some Cambodian for intelligence work.
I worked all over, including at Pine Gap, which was mind-blowing even 30 years ago – I can only imagine what the technology must be like now. I spent 20 years in the regular army and didn’t take out Australian citizenship until 1980-81, and only because I was working on classified Australian-eyes-only material in Bangkok at the time.
What Was the Highlight of Your Military Career?
Working with Indo-Chinese refugees in Thailand and Laos. I could actually help them through the whole refugee resettlement process to come to Australia. I’d get their backgrounds and stories about what they’d been through to end up in a refugee camp.
I worked with some nuns and we managed to get people to Australia who wouldn’t have gone otherwise – people who had no relatives anywhere. That was extremely rewarding humanitarian work. I did that for two years, and I’ve actually caught up with many of them here in Australia.
You Eventually Left the Military. What Did You Do Next?
After leaving the regular army, I worked for ASD as a civilian, then with Army Reserve Intelligence Company in Melbourne. Eventually, ASD moved to Canberra and I was traveling back and forth to where my kids – I have two sons – were at school. I didn’t like the travel, so I looked for work in Melbourne.
I’d been studying horticulture and got a graduate diploma from Burnley College of Agriculture and Horticulture. I set myself up as Brindabella Garden Services. I could pick and choose jobs – mostly working with older people who had beautiful gardens but had lost the ability to maintain them. They were lovely people who’d give me morning tea and afternoon tea. That work really calmed me down and settled me.
What Are Your Hobbies and Interests?
All my life I’ve been interested in making models – though I can’t do it anymore, which is frustrating. My other hobby was Morris Minor cars. My boys and I used to go camping regularly in the little Morris Minor. I had three at one stage – my last was a beautiful ’62 model – but I had to get rid of it when I moved because there wasn’t room.
Now I keep occupied with social things. I’m involved with my church and do volunteer work, taking elderly ladies to services or out for dinners – I’m like a taxi for them. I’ve always believed that if you have the ability to help people, you should.
What Advice Would You Give to a Fellow Veteran Who’s Struggling with Mental Health?
Go and see your local RSL. There’s a whole heap of veteran support services available – you’ve just got to go and find it. People at the RSL will always help you with veteran welfare needs. They fall over themselves to help you. They’re just so helpful with veteran mental health support, DVA claims assistance, and general wellbeing services.
Even when I first came back from Vietnam, you hear all these stories about people being rejected by the RSL. I joined the RSL in South Australia – mainly at my father’s insistence, because he was a WWII veteran member. There was no problem whatsoever. They accepted me just the same.
What Would You Say to Younger Veterans About Joining the RSL?
I think younger Afghanistan and Iraq veterans often don’t know about the support available, or they’re reticent because they think it’s just for older Vietnam veterans. But the younger veterans at Pompey Elliott fit in well with the multi-generational veteran community. Everyone there are good people. It’s amazing how good they are, actually.
At Tramways, they made some really big efforts to get younger veterans in, and while there were some challenges with balance, the younger veterans who are at Pompey Elliott all fit in well.
What Would You Say to Younger Veterans About Joining RSL?
For me, Pompey Elliott RSL is about having people that I know, people I’ve known for quite a while now – some since Vietnam War service like Paul McCrohan. They’re all genuine people, people you can talk to. That’s what matters in veteran support and community.
Join the Camberwell RSL Family Today
Inspired by Joseph Hopwood’s story? You too can be part of a vibrant, welcoming community that honours the past, supports the present, and builds for the future. Whether you’re looking for connection, camaraderie, or simply a great place to relax — there’s a place for you here.
