After a launch at the Cattleman’s Steakhouse on Tuesday, Duncan is raising money for the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia (VVAA) through his song, My Dog Nui Dat.

Duncan said the song, written by Peter Simpson, a Vietnam War veteran and bush balladeer, recounts the relationship between a Vietnam War veteran and his dog, named after the area of Vietnam.

“I chose it because it was just a beautiful song,” he said.

“This time last year, when I was putting songs together for the album, Peter Simpson said he had this song he wanted me to listen to. Sometimes that song comes along and you have a listen and it gives you goosebumps – it went straight into the definitely pile.”

Because it’s been embraced so warmly by veterans, $5 from every album sold goes to the VVAA.

The singer said he loved the story of the song and learned about the war after listening to it prompted his own research.

“The thing that I took out of the song was just the fact that this gentleman who went to war and came back was so entrenched that he couldn’t let go,” he said.

“Every time he called the dog, it would take him back to that place in Vietnam.”

Duncan said the Vietnam veterans were judged harshly when they returned from war, but the song showed this veteran found a companion in a dog that wouldn’t judge him.

“The dog loved him unconditionally and that’s what the veterans took out of the song,” he said.

The song reached No. 2 on the Country Tracks Top 30 yesterday, which is Duncan’s first in that position. He said he hoped more people learned about how the veterans were treated, after listening to the song.

“If I can play my part for the next 12 months or so and raise some funds, then I’m happy,” he said.

VVAA president Ken Foster was in Tamworth for the launch and said he, and other veterans, appreciated the song.

“When I first heard it and saw the words, I thought this must have been written by a Vietnam veteran,” he said.

“It is so typical and so explains the effect that that 12 months’ life experience had on the rest of that individual’s life, which is common for most veterans.”

Mr Foster said many veterans felt isolated from people after their war service.

“This song explains very simply the relationship a veteran will have with a friend or an animal, because they could be so isolated from everyone else that they will rely on that person or animal,” he said.

“They don’t worry about themselves, just about that person or dog.”

Mr Foster said the song told the story of how veterans feel so well and was useful for veterans of all wars, including the young veterans coming back from service in Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor, the Solomon Islands and other deployments.

“It’s an ex-service community state of mind and (the song) relates to that,” he said.

“It must help people understand that frame of mind, and if it helps one or two wives or families, then it’s worthwhile and done its job.”

This year is especially important for Vietnam veterans as the Australian government repatriates 24 bodies of servicemen from Malaysia; 2016 also marks the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in August.

To support the cause, buy the album for $25 via Dale Duncan, PO Box 3182, West Tamworth 2340.