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Message from Duntroon Society:
Dear Members,
Our next DunSoc Vic event will be a Happy Hour+ to be held at the RACV City Club in the Pool Room, from 1400hrs on Wednesday 22 November.
Our Occasional Guest will be Dave Sabben (see attachment). Come along, meet Dave, catch up with old mates and colleagues and meet new.
The afternoon will commence at 1400 hrs finishing up at 1800 hrs. Come and go as you please. There will be bar snacks and drinks at bar prices. A $5 note to the Treasurer on the day will gain entry.
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Happy Hour+ Wednesday 22 November 2023
RACV Club, Pool Room 501 Bourke St
1400 – 1800 hrs
Meet Dave Sabben MG
Come along and meet old friends and enjoy some finger food, drinks at bar price. Come and go as you please. $5.00 per head.
David Rae Sabben was born in Suva, Fiji, on 14 January 1945. He moved to Australia in 1958 to board at Trinity Grammar School, Sydney. After graduating from school in 1962, he was working as an advertising layout artist for a large Sydney department store.
With Australia’s participation in the Vietnam war growing and the introduction of Australia’s National Service scheme in 1964, David was called up for the first intake in 1965. During initial training, he applied for officer training. David completed the first course at Scheyville, NSW, graduating as a second lieutenant in December 1965.
In January 1966, David posted to 6th Battalion, Royal Australia Regiment (6 RAR), in Enoggera, Brisbane. He commanded 12 Platoon, Delta Company, and arrived in South Vietnam in June 1966.
David served in one of Australia’s most intense battles of the Vietnam War – the Battle of Long Tan. At 21 years old, it was an experience he would never forget. Dave served the full 12-month tour as 12 Platoon’s commander.
After his discharge on returning to Australia he returned to his occupation as a layout artist in Sydney. He and his family moved to Wollongong in 1969 where Dave managed a weekly newspaper. In the mid 70’s, Dave retrained and began a career in computer programming.
Dave retired from the IT industry in 2004, in order to write.
Meet Dave to discuss his latest book Mentions in Despatches an Infantry Platoon in Vietnam, June 66 – Jun 67, a day by day account of an Infantry Platoon in the first year of the Australian Task Force at Nui Dat in Vietnamand secure your signed copy.
