21 Aug 2017
Oberon High School students were enthralled by the story of Frank "Frankie" Hunt when he spoke in person at the school as part of the commemoration of Vietnam Veterans Day 2017. Frank Hunt and other soldiers of 3 Platoon, A Company, 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, were the inspiration for Redgum's 1983 hit song "I Was Only Nineteen" - the anthem for veterans of the Vietnam War.
Frank Hunt is the real "Frankie" in the song who "kicked a mine on the day that mankind kicked the moon". His story was personal and moving and the students listened respectfully. He said that the most important line in the song was "But you wouldn't let your mate down 'til they had you dusted off ..." and encouraged the students to stand up for what was right and to look out for each other.
Local Oberon legend, Bill Wilcox (who was one of the first on the scene to rescue Frank Hunt when he was injured in Vietnam) arranged the visit to Oberon schools enabling Frank to share his story with the students.