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State provides new Nambus

The State Government has provided a State Transit bus to replace the current Peninsula-based "Nambus".

Minister for Transport, Mr Carl Scully, officially handed over the bus to the Vietnam Veteran's Federation of Australia Inc to assist "its valued outreach project to the wider community".

Mr Scully said the bus would visit schools throughout the Central Coast of NSW, the Hunter Region and the Central West.

"The Vietnam Veteran's Federation is an organisation that gives up their time willingly and voluntarily to educate children on Australia's role in the Vietnam War," Mr Scully said.

"The donation of this bus will ensure that the Federation can carry on with its mobile outreach project."

Mr Scully praised Labor Member for Peats, Ms Marie Andrews, for her tireless work in getting the bus for the veterans.

Ms Andrews said she was pleased to be able to assist the Gosford City sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Federation in the "Nambus" program.

"The Nambus program is a great way for high school kids to learn about this significant episode in Australia's history and the sacrifices of our servicemen and women," Ms Andrews said.

"The Nambus program has been in operation since 1993 and services more than 80 schools throughout regional NSW."

The Vietnam Veterans Nambus Committee was also congratulated by the Federal Liberal Member for Robertson Mr Jim Lloyd.

"One of the first projects I undertook when first elected in 1996 was to secure a vehicle and ongoing funding to fit out the Nambus Mobile Museum," Mr Lloyd said.

"It took some time to secure Government support for this type of project, and it was only the determination of the original Vietnam Veterans' Nambus Committee that secured the $25,000 Federal Grant in August 1997," Mr Lloyd said.

"In September 2000, the Federal Government provided an additional $13,000 for a generator, video unit, sound system and lighting all of which will be transferred to the new bus," Mr Lloyd said.

The Mobile Museum has been outstanding success travelling to hundreds of locations throughout NSW.

On one occasion, it was even the focal point of a display at Parliament House, Canberra, where many Federal Members had an opportunity to inspect the Museum.

"As well as being a valuable education facility, the Nambus has been of great assistance to the Vietnam Veterans," Mr Lloyd said.

"I welcome the fact that the State Government has now taken over responsibility of funding this important project and am pleased that the Federal Government was able to play a pivotal role in the establishment of the Nambus," Mr Lloyd said.

Media releases, June 13 and 21