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‘‘It is our hope that this walk will be for some a place of healing, for others a place where they find closure. It is a place for all involved in that period of Australia’s history.’’

So said Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk committee chairman Ross Stewart at the opening of the second stage of the project on Saturday.

His words neatly encapsulated what the walk was about. More than 2500 came to the opening on a scorching hot day but they would have cause to reflect on the much greater hardships veterans have endured both during and, maybe even more so, after the conflict.

The crowd ranged from a 97-year-old veteran to babies and included the Federal and Victorian Veterans Affairs Ministers Warren Snowdon and Hugh Delahunty — who helped Mitchell Shire Mayor Bill Melbourne cut the ribbon — senior Australian Defence Force officers and plenty of Vietnam ‘‘Vets’’ who received official thanks as well.

Patron of the walk and RSL state president David McLachlan summed up the feelings of the perhaps-forgotten victims of the war.

‘‘For too long our families have endured what (we put up with) in Vietnam. They have become the inheritors of the dark nights that we have had, but they have never walked away,’’ he said.

‘‘I think we’ve got something (the walk) to be very thankful for ... It’s a place we who still live can remember those who have gone before us.’’

And organisers were also grateful. Walk committee secretary Ross Gregson said: ‘‘We would like to thank the many volunteers who have helped us to bring this last weekend to fruition, from the Mitchell Shire Council to the local townspeople and especially the local Seymour businesses.’’

‘‘The Army played a big part in creating the atmosphere of the occasion and there were many people that did things like traffic control and directing people to the right areas in hot conditions and did it all well. They were not Vietnam Veterans and not even related to Vietnam Veterans but they gave us the chance to mingle with our compatriots and their families.’’

■The opening of the second stage of the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk might have been the ‘‘big bang’’ to get Seymour’s military heritage weekend off to a flying start, but there was plenty to keep it roaring along.

After the thousands who gathered for the opening had a chance to have a look around the walk, marchers formed up for a parade from High St, along Tallarook St, to Kings Park.

All who took part - from Vietnam Veterans to school pupils, the ADF and drivers of old Army vehicles - were shown great acclaim by the crowds lining the route.

From there it was on to Kings Park, which can rarely have rocked like it did on Saturday night. Normie Rowe headlined a stellar cast of musicians who had the more than 2000 in attendance on their feet.

Compere Doug Owen, in a letter to the Telegraph, called it the ‘‘happiest and friendliest crowd I’ve ever performed for in 50 years of professional entertaining’’.

Fireworks and a movie screening topped off the night, which was notable for two things in particular — the great behaviour of those in attendance and the evidence that Seymour can support, indeed is crying out for, such events.

As Owen says, all who were there should take a bow for an unforgettable evening to cap an unforgettable day.

■It might not have been as frenetic as Saturday, but plenty of people still came out to enjoy what the second part of the Seymour Military Heritage Weekend had to offer.

On a scorching Sunday there were two major events — tours of the Australian Light Horse Memorial Park conducted by Tallarook-based military historian and former soldier Tim Whitford, and the Seymour Car Club’s show, which had plenty of military connections.

The Light Horse Park tours were again hugely successful, with those in attendance given a comprehensive rundown of the military history of the old Seymour Army Camp, or Site 17, by a master of the subject.

The tour was brilliantly complemented by several re-enactment groups, including the Creswick Light Horse Troop, Australian Great War Association, Commemorative Historical Society and Living History Group, who all brought to life various eras.

The car club has strong links to local Vietnam Veterans and they showed off many of the vehicles on display at Kings Park.

A good crowd was also treated to more music by Hair of the Dog, which didn’t seem to stop after starting at the Saturday night concert, as well as plenty of other entertainment.

All proceeds will be donated to the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk.