Operation New life DPR/TV/600-601

After more than six years of isolation and Viet Cong domination the garrison town of Xuyen Moc in Phuoc Tuy Province has relieved. The Commander of the 1st Australian Task Force, Brigadier Stuart Graham and provincial chiefs cut the ribbon that officially opened Route 23 to traffic for the first time since late 1960. More than 3,00 Vietnamese, heded by Phuoc Tuy Province Chief, Colonel Dat, attended the ceremony. The road is nine miles of laterite and gravel between the villages of Dat Do and Xuyen Moc. For the past six years the only means of travel to Xuyen Moc was by air. While the celebrations continued at Xuyen Moc, Civil Affairs Officers and men from the Australian Logistic Support HQ at Vung Tau were preparing to air lift a consignment of clothing cooking and garden materials into the fortified village. Operation 'New life' is an RSL sponsored programme which distributes articles donated by the Australian public. Identified personnel: Brigadier Stuart Graham, Mr Tuong Chief of Phuoc Tuy Provincial Council, Major John Donhue, Flight Lieutenant Jeff Pedrina, Flying Officer Baldwin, Major Ken Petersen (unpacking axes and gardening forks).