Dan Kindness, pictured left at last year's ANZAC Dawn Service, will leave Vietnam. Tonight he will have a farewell cyclo pub crawl like this one for the Swannies' 2008 AFL Grand Final Cyclo Parade in Hanoi.

As a footy club in Asia, the Vietnam Swans meet many – and say goodbye to many.

Tonight, the boys in Hanoi will put on a Cyclo Pub Crawl for Club Legend, Dan Kindness who will leave Vietnam with his family in another week.

Also cyclo-ing will be another key Swannie, Mr Haoie.

Hao, pictured here on a match banner from last year, will also dominate in his farewell cyclo pub crawl.

Dan’s influence and impact on the Club has been immense and enduring. Dan played a key role in establishing our ANZAC Friendship Match which is only in its third year. Dan played a pivotal role in establishing the tradition where visiting Royal Australian Navy ships play a game of footy against the Swannies. Dan organised the Thursday night fitness sessions at the Australian Embassy in Hanoi. But most importantly, Dan has just been there at our Club as a top bloke.

Tonight, the Club will put on a show for Dan and Hao in Hanoi. A Cyclo Pub Crawl – similar to our AFL Grand Final Cyclo Parades that we used to do in Hanoi. The details are as follows:

Start: Tonight, 1700-1730

Where: Bia Hoi – south side cnr Phung Hung and Bat Dan – Old Quarter, Hanoi

Cyclo Pub Crawl: Cyclo Bia Hoi crawl through the old quarter to make it to

Dinner: 1900

Where: Pilsner Urquell Bia Tuoi near Truc Bach Lake, 10 Nguyen Bieu, Ba Dinh

Come along if you can for a fantastic night with a fantastic couple who have done so much for our Club.

Day 3 of the Swannies' 5th Annual Cricket Day at the MCG

Yesterday, the Swannies returned to the MCG for the 5th Annual Cricket Day – Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test Match in Melbourne between Australia and India.

It was a big hit with 18 people coming along which made it our biggest turnout yet.

We had Richard Beecher, Dez and Fleur Limbrick, Mark “Willy” Williams, Dave “Flyer” Kainey, Danny Monkey, Phil “Fabbo” Johns, Nick Shiells, Bud 1, Garry Shiells, John Carey, Stan Middleton, Ryan Tierney, Michael Garnham, Mat Garnham, Jez Limbrick, Chris and Dan.

fantastic fun meeting up with everyone and, dressed in our Swannies’ colours, we also received plenty of looks.

A highlight of the day was after the cricket, Willy and Fabbo went into Richmond. They started talking to a woman who works for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She is best mates with Irvo, the Navy guy who played a key role in organising the footy match against our first touring RAN ship, HMAS ANZAC in 2008. She then called Irvo and they had a great chat. The Swannies keep shrinking that world!

Today, the Swannies go out to Ivanhoe golf course for the Swannies’ 7th Annual Ryan Jeffery Golf Classic. That will be followed by the Inaugural Swannies’ Celebratrion Soiree at the Rainbow Hotel in Fitzroy.

It’s all a hoot. And it just keeps getting bigger.

Click here for more photos from the day.

Cheer, cheer the red, white and black. Santa comes to the Swannies' Christmas Party/B&F in Saigon on 3 Dec.

National Prez, Phil Johns wishes everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Go you Swannies – especially at the upcoming cricket, golf and inaugural celebration soiree in Melbourne.

Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters

Being Christmas Eve, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

2011 has been a monster year for this Club. On the field, it was our best to date. Off the field, we hosted plenty of great fun events. We also responded appropriately to several tragedies. Ross, Ah you’ve done it again, McRae, continued to weave his graphic magic on the canvas and designed our new club logo. Inevitably, there were lots of players during the year who made the decision to move on from Vietnam.

Following Mark “Willy” William’s departure in Hanoi, Dan Hopkins took over the Hanoi Presidency and is doing a magnificent job. In Saigon, we have just farewelled Dez Limbrick and there is a great sense of anticipation about his successor, Sam Conroy. Nominations for Sam’s 2012 Committee in Saigon close today and already some very high profile and high calibre candidates have raised their hands.

As the end of 2011 approaches, I would like to thank all of our sponsors again. I would also like to make special mention of Linfox Logistics. Unfortunately, due to a change in strategy, Linfox will not be renewing its Signature Sponsorship of the Swannies next year. Linfox has been a terrific sponsor of the Swannies since 2007 when we became a national Club. We have greatly valued Linfox’s generous support.

Linfox’s departure has, of course, created an opportunity. I am therefore delighted to announce that Pest Free will take over the title of Signature Sponsor of the Vietnam Swans in 2012. Pest Free has been an absolutely fantastic supporter of the Swannies. Pest Free has been a major sponsor since 2007 and provided additional support at critical times. In 2008, for example, we had an oval lined up for a match against the Royal Australian Navy in Saigon. Alas, we didn’t have any AFL goal posts – until Pest Free stepped in and saved the day with a set of international standard goal posts that we still use today.

Earlier this year, Pest Free played a key role in securing ex AFL star, Richard “Ossie” Osborne in coming out to our 2^nd Annual ANZAC Friendship Match.

Not surprisingly, expectations at the Club for 2012 are high. And, our season will start with a rush on 7 January in Saigon when the Swannies host a match against the Southern Dragons in the Inaugural Vietnam-Australia Friendship Match. The Southern Dragons are based in Melbourne and comprise numerous players of Vietnamese origin.

But that’s 2012! Between now and then, we still have Christmas, the Swannies’ Annual Cricket and Golf Days in Melbourne (Willy, Dez and 19 others, so far, will be there) together with the Inaugural Swannies’ Celebration Soiree on 28 and 29 December. See attached poster for full details. If you would like to come to any of these events, please email me or call me on my Australian number, +61 (0) 415 820 683.

Thank you very much again to everyone who helped to make 2011 such a success for the Swannies. We really lifted it up a notch or two this year and had great fun doing it.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year – and Go you Swannies!!

Pest Free Australia thanks Pest Free Vietnam and the Vietnam Swans.

Ray Connell is the President of Pest Free Australia. Below, is an email to his distributors and the Vietnam Swans. He thanks Pest Free Vietnam for sponsoring the Vietnam Swans and thanks the Vietnam Swans.

His email is reproduced below.

Dear Distributors.

Pest Free Vietnam proudly sponsors the Vietnam Swans Football Team in Vietnam. The (national) team made its debut at the 2007 Asian Champs in Bangkok. The Vietnam Swans not only enjoy their football and mateship within the team and Club, they also raise and give money to charities that are in need of help.

THE CLUB HAS MADE THE FOLLOWING DONATIONS:

1. 2011 The Vietnam Swans Co-Organized a Queensland (Australia) Flood Appeal. $45,000 raised.
2. Supported Organizers of the Christchurch (NZ) Earthquake Appeal. $100,000 raised.
3. Co-Organized the Inaugural Swing to Swim Charity Golf Day in Central Vietnam. $25,000 raised for drowning prevention.
4. Hosted the 2^nd  Annual ANZAC Friendship Match in Vung Tau. 500 people attended including a number of Veterans.

Pest Free Australia would like to thank our Vietnam Master Distributor for their sponsorship of the Vietnam Swans Football Team and also every member of the Vietnam Swans Club for their continued hard work, charity donations and support for such worthy causes.

Pest Free Australia is proud to have the company’s logo associated with so many major sponsors. Please refer to the attachment – Logos of Vietnam Swans’ sponsors.

Pest Free Australia wishes The Vietnam Swans Club the very best for the 2012 season. I will be visiting Mark and Moc (Pest Free Vietnam) in Vietnam in 2012 and I am personally looking forward to meeting with club members, especially being an ex Rugby Union and Rugby League player myself. (Please do not hold that against me.)

My Kindest Regards To All.
Ray Connell.JP.
President.
Pest Free Australia.Pty.Ltd.

The Vietnam Swans greatly appreciate the generous words of Pest Free Australia. Pest Free has been an amazing supporter of the Vietnam Swans. In addition to its annual sponsorship of the Swannies, Pest Free secured AFL goal posts of “international standard” in Saigon back in 2008 when we had our first game against the Royal Australian Navy (HMAS ANZAC) lined up – but without goal posts!

Earlier this year, Pest Free played a key role in bringing ex AFL star, Richard” Ossie” Osborne, to our ANZAC Friendship Match.

The Vietnam Swans look forward to announcing some exciting news with respect to Pest Free’s sponsorship of the Vietnam Swans in 2012.

Nick Moger (gun), a first time tourer, kicks for goal - watched on by another first time tourer, Damo Ballantine (gun) and the seasoned veteran - and player of the tournament - Skipper Dukes.

National President, Phil Johns does a quick follow up after the Swannies victory at the 2011 Indochina Cup which was played between the Lao Elephants, Thailand Tigers, Cambodian Eagles and the Swannies.

Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters

The Vietnam Swans have just returned from the 5^th Annual Indochina Cup which was held in Vientiane, Lao. With silverware!

The Swannies were lucky enough to win the Indochina Cup last year. This year, we were lucky enough to win in emphatic style and become the first team in the competition’s short history to claim back to backs. And it feels pretty good!

Our touring squad was only slightly smaller than the host team’s. I think our Club has a good vibe and an inclusive culture that serves us well.

The departuing Dan Kindness. Says we might see him at next year's ANZAC Friendship Match...

We farewelled no less than five players on this tour: Saigon President, Derrin Limbrick (with wife, Fleur); Dan Kindness (key architect behind the ANZAC Friendship Match and footy matches against the Royal Australian Navy), Stewie Green, Hao Tien and Tim Riordan.

The departures are bad news indeed – but that’s just what happens in Asian footy. Our footy club is always in a process of continual renewal. So we were pleased to welcome a swag of new recruits on their first tour who outnumbered the departures. The international tour debutants included “best on ground” in the Grand Final, Dave O’Shea, and the Italian Man Mountain, Edo, who introduced himself to the Swannies in Hanoi just a fortnight ago.

Special mention and congratulations to our Captain, “Dukes” Creamer who picked up the award for “Player of the tournament”.

For photos and more reports, as always, turn to vietnamswans.com

To acknowledge and celebrate the Club’s stellar year – on and off the field – in our eight year history, make sure you attend our Christmas and Awards Parties in Saigon (next Saturday, 3 December from 2pm, Boomarang Bistro) and Hanoi ( Saturday 10 December, JASPAS). And it will be a great opportunity to properly thank and farewell some true Club legends.

Dave O'Shea pleased the recruiters when he picked up Best on Ground in the Grand Final, in his first international tour.

If you’re back in Melbourne in the Christmas/New Year period, don’t forget the Swannies cricket day at the MCG on 28 December and the annual golf day on 29 December.

Need another footy fix? Don’t worry. 7 January in Saigon, the Vietnam Swans will kit up again to take on the Southern Dragons from Melbourne. The Dragons emailed this morning to say that, so far, they have a squad of 17 confirmed.

Congratulations to all Swannies who turned it on last weekend and to the rest of the Swannies who weren’t able to be there on the day. Back to Back. That’s a very impressive achievement!

On Saturday, what did the final siren sound like?

It sounded like someone honkin’ his horn.

Go you Swannies!

Thank you!

The Vietnam Swans would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the Lao Elephants for hosting such an outstandingly well organised event. In particular, we would like to highlight the great work done by the President, Paul Simcock, Vice President, Michael Simcock and their organising Committee. Congratulations to the Lao Elephants.

The Swannies' 5th Annual Indochina Cup, 26 November, 2011, Vientiane, Lao.

The 5th Indochina Cup starts tomorrow, Saturday, 26 November, 2011. The National President, Phil Johns, writes an update:

Ross McRae, Ah McRae, you’ve done it again, has just done it again. Ross has just finished his banner design for the Swannies defense of the Indochina Cup. The banner reviews the Swannies’ previous 12 months.

So, where do you start?

There’s the Swannies’ annual December golf day (in Melbourne) and cricket day (MCG Members), Queensland floods fundraisers, Christchurch earthquake fundraisers, Swing to Swim Charity Golf Days, swimming programs, Asian Championships, last year’s Indochina Cup, matches against the Royal Australian Navy, Guangzhou Scorpions, AFL Masters and Malaysia, the ANZAC Friendship Match, a string of important farewells of people leaving Vietnam, Swannies’ AFL Grand Final Parties, Bitexco Tower Vertical Runs, All Asians, ex AFLer Richard Osborne and Vietnam Veteran, Kenny Earney at the Noble Park RSL Club and… and…

If you need any graphic design work done, Ross McRae is the man to speak to. He does an outstanding job again and again. The only thing he won’t do is promote himself – even after I asked him to put a picture of himself on the banner, toiling away on his computer! Ross can be contacted at ross@hhp-industries.com

This will be the Swannies last game of the calendar year. We will be farewelling two greats: Derrin Limbrick and Dan Kindness. We will be introducing a string of new players, on their first Swannies’ tour, to the fun and excitement of playing footy in other parts of Asia. And, we’re going to be defending the Indochina Cup (ICC) which we won last year in Saigon.

2011, as shown in Ross’ banner, has been an outstanding year for the Swannies. As Hanoi Coach Ado said, the crowning achievement for the Swannies would be “for the Swannies to go B2B ICC 2011”.

Even though it is our last game/tournament of the year, there’s still plenty more happening in Saigon, Hanoi and Melbourne…

Coming Up:

• 26 November, 5^th Annual Indochina Cup, Lao
• 1 December, Farewell Celebration Golf Tournament for Australian Consul General, Graeme Swift. With Wayne Grady. Saigon
• 3 December, B&F and Swannies Christmas Party, Boomarang Bistro, Saigon
• 4 December, Auscham Christmas Party supported by the Swannies, Boomarang Bistro, Saigon
• 10 December, B&F and Swannies Christmas Party, JASPAS, Hanoi
• 17 December, Auscham Christmas Party supported by the Swannies, Hanoi (tbc)
• 28 December, The 5^th Vietnam Swans’ Annual Cricket Day, MCG Members, Melbourne
• 29 December, The 7^th Vietnam Swans’ Annual Ryan Jefferey Golf Classic, Ivanhoe, Melbourne
• 7 January, 2012, Vietnam Swans Vs Southern Dragons (Melbourne club comprising numerous Vietnamese Australians), Saigon

Start registering your interest in attending each (some) of these crack-a-jack events.

Little Johnnie wouldn't have said, "Keep walking". Honk!

And finally…

Today, the Swannies can reliably report that Johnnie Walker was misquoted. He didn’t say, “Keep walking”. Get real, what does “keep walking” mean?

Little Johnnie would have said, “Keep Honking!” Because, like the rest of us, he would love the footy.

Honk! Honk!

Good luck to all the tourers to Vientiane this weekend. And to those of us who can’t make this tour, thanks for helping us get there.

Last year's Swannies' Golf Day and MCG Cricket Day (at the London Tavern??) in Melbourne. And it's on again!

If you think things are starting to wind down just because the end of the year draws near, you’re dreamin’. The Swannies have a jam packed schedule to make sure you finish the year exhausted. Here’s what’s coming up:

• 26 November, Lao – 5th Annual Indochina Cup. Swannies are hoping to go back to back and we farewell two icons from the Swannies: Saigon President, Derrin Limbrick; and Dan Kindness, key architect behind the ANZAC Friendship Match and the three matches we have played against the Royal Australian Navy.
• 26 November, Hanoi – Auscham Ball, Circus Spectacular. Click here for full details.
• 1 December, Saigon – Australian Consul General, Graeme Swift Farewell Celebration Golf Tournament. Click here for full details.
• 3 December, Saigon – Best & Fairest and Christmas Party at the tick, tick Boom-arang Bistro, D7. Family friendly event starts at 3pm and all are welcome. Full details very soon.
• 4 December, Saigon – Auscham Christmas Party, Boomarang Bistro. Go back to back with the Swannies for this recovery party. Full details coming.
• 10 December, Hanoi – Best & Fairest and Christmas Party, JASPAS.
  
• 28 December, Melbourne – The 5th Vietnam Swans Annual Cricket Day, MCG. Last year, the Aussies couldn’t make it to the fourth day (well, they had 3 wickets remaining) so we were forced to go to the London Tavern – where we met a dozen Thailand Tigers!). This year we’ll be in the members of the MCG on the third day to see the Aussies and the Indians! To confirm your attendance, email the National President.
• 29 December, Melbourne – The 7th Vietnam Swans Annual Ryan Jefferey Golf Classic, Royal Ivanhoe Golf Links, Melbourne. Even if you don’t like golf, this is a great event. We play “Best Ball” so even if you’re not the greatest player, you still have a fantastic day. To confirm your attendance, email the National President.

What a hoot! It just keeps getting bigger.

Lest we forget - at the 11th hour on the 11/11/2011. Photo, Adam Martin.

Today, the 11/11/2011 is Remembrance Day.

At 5am on 11 November 1918, three German government representatives accepted the Armistice terms to end World War 1, the so called war to end all wars.

The armistice became effective at 11am the same day, and as the guns fell silent on the Western Front in France and Belgium, four years of hostilities ended.

The cease-fire was made permanent the following year when members of the Commonwealth and the League of Nations signed the Treaty of Versailles (click here for further details).

In Australia, this year’s Remembrance Day poster marks the centenary of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), commemorated on 10 July 2011.

The RAN has been a big supporter of footy in Asia. Last month, for example, the Vietnam Swans hosted a match against the HMAS YARRA and HUON.

HMAS Warramunga is currently on tour through the region and, during the week, played a footy match against the Cambodian Eagles. On Sunday, 13 November, the Singapore Wombats will host a three way competition against Warramunga and HMAS Sirius.

Sadly, today’s Age newspaper has reported that a female sailor from HMAS Warramunga has died while on shore leave in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

The Vietnam Swans extend our condolences to the family, friends and fellow crew of the sailor.

The Phoenix Cup Perpetual Trophy. Photo, Dani Moger.

Three weeks ago, on 11 October 2011, the Vietnam Swans played a twilight match against the Royal Australian Navy for the Phoenix Perpetual Trophy.

Ryan Post, from the Australian Navy, has written to thank the Swannies (and to express his disappointment that 10 of their players missed the match because they were stuck on a bus!).

The email is reproduced below.

Dear Swannies

We were kicking ourselves that we were unable to make it to the match on Tuesday night (11 October). I know that there were at least 10 others on the bus with us, coming back from the Battlefield Tour, who also had their shorts and boots in their bag ready to go. They were equally frustrated we couldn’t make it back on time.

From all reports, everyone who got out from both ships (HMAS Yarra and HMAS Huon) had a fantastic time and I would like to sincerely thank the Vietnam Swans for the considerable effort that your Club has gone to in order to make the evening such a memorable event.

I hope that all Australian ships who come to Vietnam in the future keep the Phoenix Trophy tradition alive for many years to come.

Once again, thanks for your efforts.

Ryan

• For photos of the match, click here.

Skipper Dukes. Photo, Adam Martin.

The Vietnam Swans have just received the photos from last week’s Royal Australian Navy match taken by Adam Martin from Asian Images.

Click onto the Vietnam Swans web album to see his photos.

Also, be sure to look at Adam Martin’s website where he has some amazing photos from around Asia.