BRUCE Murray, the President of the Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association, marched for the first time this ANZAC Day with the Tea Gardens Returned and Services League (RSL) of Australia sub-Branch.

Bruce told News Of The Area he was inspired to join the Defence Force by his three uncles who served during WWII.

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“One in the Royal Australian Navy on the Corvettes, one in the 8th Division (later captured by the Japanese in Singapore), and one who served in North Africa and the Pacific with the 9th Division,” Bruce said.

“In addition to the family connection, it was the training that inspired me to enlist.

“I also liked the idea of being able to travel with a permanent job and career,” he said.

Bruce’s first encounter in Defence came at the age of twenty-one.

“I joined the Citizens Military Force (CMF), Two Commando Company at Fort Gellibrand in Williamstown, Victoria.

“I was attracted to the Commandos because of the range of training including parachuting, rock climbing, small craft handling, scuba diving and specialist weapons handling.
“The training was intense but looking back it was a great experi
ence.

“I was discharged from the CMF when I returned to rural Victoria as I could no longer travel.”

In 1981, Bruce joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a Radio Technician Trainee.

“After graduation I was posted to RAAF Williamtown to work on the Mirage III radar.

“In 1987, I transitioned to F/A-18 Hornet avionics equipment maintenance.

“In 1992, I was commissioned as an Electronics Engineer and then spent most of my career working on the F/A-18 Hornet.

“Some of my roles included Logistics Support, Senior Engineering Officer (SENGO), Senior Technical Liaison Officer to the USN for F/A-18 Hornets, and Exchange Officer to the USMC.

“My most rewarding experiences came from working in 75 Squadron, VMFAT-101 (United State Marine Corps) and 77 Squadron.

“You get a heightened sense of purpose and comradeship in an operational unit.

“Deploying halfway around the world for an operation or exercise allows you to employ all your skills and training.”

Bruce was also fortunate to be aboard the USS Constellation during the filming of the Aircraft Carrier sequences for the movie Pearl Harbour.

“Seeing four B-25 Mitchell bombers taking off from the ‘Connie’ was an experience I will never forget,” he said.

Bruce spent most of his career at RAAF Williamtown but also posted to Katherine (NT), San Diego California, Washington DC and Southern Maryland, Glenbrook NSW and Laverton.

“I also participated in exercises and operations in Singapore, Indonesia, Canada, USA and Diego Garcia.”

Bruce believes ANZAC today is more important than ever.

“Firstly, it is an important reminder of the sacrifice that comes with conflict.

“I used to take solace in seeing those old Russian Generals watching the May Day parades in Moscow.

“I knew instinctively that those old men remembered the horrors of war and would be reluctant to ever go there again.

“Sadly, many of those men are gone and we are once again facing the prospect of death and destruction on a global scale.

“Secondly, it is a day to reflect and remember that all our veterans and serving members deserve and need our support as they adjust to life after the military.

“We should never underestimate the benefit of ‘just being there’ for people who may be struggling with the pressures of modern life.

“Finally, I believe that the camaraderie and mateship from service is very much alive and well in the modern Defence Force as I am sure it is with all Services.

“When you pull on a uniform, you take on all the history and traditions of that organisation and become part of something bigger than yourself.”