The Vietnam War was one of the most controversial wars in history, perhaps because it was one of the first wars to be documented, filmed and shown on television for most of the public. see, judge, feel and possibly protest against. This essay will discuss the different experiences of Australian veterans upon returning to Australia from Vietnam. In my opinion, I believe that Australian soldiers from the Vietnam War were treated horribly when they returned from Vietnam. Opposition Leader Arthur Calwell and many Australian families who had to fight in the Vietnam War thought it was a bad idea to send troops. Families watched their men and boys leave for Vietnam as soldiers and return as disrespected veterans. Firstly, this war took place from 1962 and ended in 1975 (Australian War Memorial, nd) and saw a 'coming home' for soldiers like never before. . The Prime Minister at the time, Robert Menzies, believed that we should send troops to Vietnam to help America end the "domino theory", a theory that America believes that when a country becomes communist, neighboring countries will also become communist. which would cause the world to become communist and America would no longer be able to trade equipment or weapons with other countries to make money, thus forcing America to become a communist country as well. However, a different view from Opposition Leader Arthur Calwell was equally passionate against sending troops to Vietnam to fight. In Arthur Calwel's speech, Calwel stated in the government announcement: "We do not believe that this will contribute to the fight against communism" (House of Representatives, 1965). Public opinion was divided over this war and had never been so openly displayed as during...... middle of paper...... Lian War Memorial: http://www.awm.gov.au / exhibitions/impressions/quotes.aspConscription in Australia. (March 10, 2014). Retrieved March 16, 2014 from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_AustraliaGavin. (June 11, 2012). Postwar suicides of Vietnam comrades. Retrieved March 16, 2014 from Eureka Street: http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=31795#.UyVE8K2SyWcHouse of Representatives. (1965, April 29). Retrieved March 16, 2014 from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Debates: http://www.dva.gov.au/commems_oawg/commemorations/education/Documents/avw_topic1.pdfReferendums. (2014). Retrieved March 16, 2014 from the Australian Electrol Commission: http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/referendums/The 1967 referendum – Fact sheet 150. (2014). Retrieved March 16, 2014 from the National Archives of Australia: http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs150.aspx