INTRODUCING DARYL CHRISTIE

“Military service is the greatest lesson in looking after your mates.” Camberwell RSL treasurer Daryl Christie’s experiences at Fire Support Base Coral in 1968 forged a lifetime commitment to veteran support. His powerful story spans five decades of service to his country, the community, and the RSL family. In this candid interview, Daryl shares how Vietnam shaped him, footy and the RSL sustained him, and supporting fellow veterans became his mission. 

 

How long have you been a member of our Club?

I’ve been a member since 1997, and Treasurer since about 2007. 

 

What inspired you to join after your football career and military service? 

When I returned from Vietnam, I joined the Ararat RSL, which was in my hometown. With the Commonwealth Bank, I moved around country Victoria, and I was a member of the RSL at Shepparton and Yarrawonga/Mulwala. Whilst many veterans found it hard, as it was an unpopular war, I was lucky to move back to my mates and football. It was a healing process. However, I learnt 50 years later that my mates and family were told not to discuss or ask me about Vietnam.  

I am grateful to my old schoolmate from Ararat, Kevin Allender, who invited me to join Tramways East Melbourne RSL in 1997. I cannot thank him enough for this. It was exactly what I needed during that time when, like many veterans, my Vietnam experiences finally caught up with me. 

What aspect of club membership do you value most? 

I value the friendship and the shared experiences, but most of all, being able to help and support fellow veterans. It has also given me the understanding that we need to talk to our mates and family about our experiences, so they gain an insight into who we are, and the events of war that shaped us

 

Which committee(s) are you currently involved with? 

Besides my 18-year tenure as Treasurer, I have been involved with the finance of our Body Corporate for 14 years, but have decided to hand it over to a fresh approach this year. I continue to ensure the Portarlington Respite Unit runs smoothly, as it provides a valuable resource for our veterans and families.  

Over the years, I have consistently been involved in the various clubs and sports our children played. This involved coaching, umpiring, or simply standing on the sidelines cheering them on. Plus, with the various sports I played (squash, indoor cricket, cricket, golf and basketball), I always took an active role in the club. One of my favourite roles was on one of the many parent committees where we organised a large amount of books and sporting equipment supplies for the school through fundraising activities.

What makes volunteering meaningful to you? 

I was lucky enough to survive the Vietnam War, many of my mates did not. Therefore, I believe that we, as veterans, have a responsibility to honour our service by providing service to others. Military service is the greatest lesson in ‘look after your mates’. 

Could you share some of your experiences from your time serving in Vietnam? 

I was with 1 RAR (Royal Australian Regiment) and we were deployed to Vietnam in 1968. I flew over with an advance party on a Qantas flight into Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City). The remainder of my battalion sailed on the HMAS Sydney, known as the Vung Tau Ferry by the troops (landing at Vung Tau). When I flew into Saigon, I realised it was about to ‘get real’, as there was shocking evidence of war. I was then deployed to Nui Dat Base, the Australian base camp. I was with 7 RAR until the remainder of my battalion arrived.  

The biggest engagement I was involved in was the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral. It proved to be the largest, longest and bloodiest battle fought by Australians in the Vietnam War. We flew in on Mother’s Day, 12 May 1968, and moved out on 6 June 1968. It was one month of continuous, fierce fighting.  

At Coral, we were out on patrol a lot of the time during the day. I used to carry an M70, which is basically a rocket launcher, on my back. I also spent time in a machine gun pit facing out towards where the enemy were. There was a clearing further back with bunkers, and we were attacked from that direction as well. There were tunnels everywhere that we later learned went for miles. 

During this period, we lost twenty-one of our mates killed in action at Coral, and nearly 100 were wounded. Our Mortars Platoon and guns of 102 Field Battery were overrun in the early hours of May 13. They were engaged in hand-to-hand combat to regain control. Six of my mates who were killed in action died on that first night.  

I remember we were pinned down in a bunker and could not get out for about 2 hours. Another of my mates was killed in this battle. They had to bring in artillery support and helicopter gunships to assist us. We were finally extracted when tanks and armoured personnel carriers came out from Coral. We were so pleased to see those blokes. This was the pattern of conflict I saw for most of my time in Vietnam. 

One of my breaks from the battlefield was when I was selected to be involved in Saigon Guard Duty. We had to guard Radio Australia at the Australian Embassy and the hotel where dignitaries stayed when visiting Saigon. When not on guard duty, we had time to explore Saigon. We mixed with the Americans and they invited us into their ‘boozer’, which was a sight to behold, as they had everything laid on with food and drink, etc. It was vastly different from the Australian boozer back at Nui Dat.  

Meanwhile, on 23 May, a second Fire Support Base, Balmoral, was set up about four miles from Coral. In 2018, all groups involved in this overall battle were awarded a Unit Citation of Gallantry, thanks to the persistence of a number of 1 RAR Coral veterans who led the fight for recognition. It saddens me to think it was awarded 50 years after the event, when many of the veterans had passed away. 

What was your career path after football and military service? 

My career started with the Commonwealth Bank as a young bloke. When Carlton recruited me to play a practice match at the age of seventeen, then subsequently drafted me onto Carlton’s list, I was able to transfer to Melbourne with the bank. When I returned from Vietnam I wanted to go back to the country (Ararat), play football and get on with my life. Fortunately, the bank looked after veterans and kept their jobs. 

From there I received promotions that took me all over Victoria for the next 30 years. As our children entered secondary school, it was time to settle in one place, as our eldest had been to nine kindergartens and schools by Year 9. That’s what brought us to Melbourne.  

What did you find most rewarding about your work? 

I was grateful for the varied experiences moving around Victoria where I dealt with farmers, orchardists (SPC Shepparton) and many other areas of banking. It gave me a greater understanding of what people face managing business, family budgets, international markets and much more.  

One of my favourite stories is when I decided to semi-retire and took a job as a truck driver. The young blokes I worked with were the salt of the earth, but they were also the poorest money managers. I became known as the ‘Banker’, as I tried to encourage them to not spend all their money in one weekend. I had some interesting conversations with that group! 

How has your definition of success evolved through your experiences in football, war, and civilian life? 

If you had asked me about success at 17, I would have said ‘making the Carlton list’. At 22, in the jungle of Vietnam, I would have said ‘survival and looking after my mates’. Later, it became more about family – looking after my wife and kids, seeing them prosper, being a decent person who looked after veterans. This has now expanded into being the best grandad I can be. 

Who has been your greatest inspiration throughout these different chapters of your life? 

Parents and football coaches have had an enormous influence on my life. Ron Barassi was one of the toughest coaches I’ve ever trained under, and his approach unknowingly prepared me for jungle warfare. Our Platoon Sergeant in Vietnam, Russ Hocking, was a pillar of strength – always there to guide and support us, plus ‘tough love’ to ensure we survived. 

Also, my wife Robyn, who has supported me throughout my career in the bank, the frequent moves, and helped me survive post-Vietnam. And my kids, who are constantly evolving, and moving forward to make the world a better place with their kindness and volunteering. 

What advice would you offer to young people considering a football career or military service? 

Football: Be committed and develop skills at an early age. Be able to use both left and right sides of the body with kicking and handball. When I was young, I used to always have a football. We would be constantly kicking, marking, and handling the football. It became part of me.  

Military: I enjoyed the learning and discipline of the army, but most of all I enjoyed the fun times and being with my mates. No-one wants to go to war, however, I was proud to serve my country. So never let social media devalue the role of the military. They are a valuable and necessary resource. Be fit, mentally and physically, before you enter any military service, as you will be tested to be your best in a range of situations. 

Would you tell us about your family? 

I have been married to Robyn, whom I met about a year after returning from Vietnam, for 54 years. We sure were young! Fortunately, we had three gorgeous kids – Peta, Olivia and Ben.  

Whilst people talk about loving grandchildren, I never really understood it until ours started to arrive – Amber, Scarlett, Madison and Annabella. Plus, we have a variety of furry (dog/cat) grandkids. 

What is an interesting fact about yourself that most people would not know? 

I captained the 1 RAR Army football side before deployment to Vietnam. We played the Navy at one time, and there was more blood on the footy field that day than anywhere else. They were a tough opposition! 

If you had to choose one meal to eat every day for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Sausages and mashed potatoes with gravy, finished off with Pavlova! 

Where are you hoping to travel to next? 

Travel is a joy – I love learning about different countries and cultures. 2024 was a huge year for us, with 2 months of travel. This year Robyn and I plan to visit Switzerland in September, for a train trip through the Alps. 

Join the Camberwell RSL Family Today

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