Join Murray Bruce on His Bravery Trek: Support Our Submariners

Dear SAA Members,

I am writing to share an inspiring initiative being undertaken by one of our own, Murray Bruce, and to ask for your support. Murray, a fellow submarine veteran (OXLEY, OTWAY, and COLLINS) and a long-standing Bravery Trust Ambassador, is preparing for an epic charity trek along the historic Bibbulmun Track from Stirling to Albany.

About the Trek
Murray will walk approximately 1000km between August and September this year, averaging 25km per day over 6 weeks, as part of the Bravery Trust’s Bravery Trek. He will stay in shelters, an ultra-light tent, or track towns along the way, with food drops mailed ahead. This trek is significant, connecting the historic submarine host ports of Fremantle and Albany—locations steeped in Squadron and allied submarine history. Murray will be representing the SAA during his journey.

Supporting Bravery Trust

This walk aims to raise funds for Bravery Trust, a charity providing emergency financial support, financial counselling, and financial education for veterans, serving personnel, and their families. Murray has been an ambassador since 2020 and has witnessed firsthand the critical support the Trust provides to submariners and their families. Bravery Trust stays in its lane, focusing on financial well-being. They work collaboratively with other Ex-Service Organisations (ESOs) like Open Arms and RSL, advocating on behalf of veterans to have inappropriate debts waived or restructured into manageable payment plans. They also assist DVA beneficiaries with post-compensation planning.

How You Can Help

1. Donate and Help SAA: I encourage every member to visit Murray's Bravery Trek fundraising page and make a personal contribution. If you mention you are from the SAA with your donation, Murray has generously offered to match your contribution back to the SAA, up to a maximum of $5,000. The SAA Executive will determine the best use for these matched funds.

👉 Donate here: https://braverytrek.com.au/murray-bruce

2. Join the Warm-Up Walk/Run: Murray will kick off his trek with an 8km run/walk from Stirling to the Rockingham Navy Club with the Chief of Navy, VADM Matt Buckley, starting at the submarine alongside on 22 August. If you are in the Rockingham area, please join us to show your support at the STIRLING at 0700 for 0730 or at the Navy Club from 0830.

3. Meet Murray Along the Way: If you live in or near the Bibbulmun Track towns (Albany, Balingup, Collie, Denmark, Dwellingup, Northcliffe, Pemberton, or Walpole), Murray would welcome the chance to join you for a refreshment along his journey and or have you walk with him for part of the trek.

Next Steps
Murray is a true asset to our submarine community, and his commitment to this cause is commendable. Please give this initiative your full support.

Yours Aye,

Dave Strangward AM

National President

Submarines Association Australia

SAA Members

On behalf of the SAA
I would like to congratulate CDRE Henri Nord-Thomson on the recent announcement of his promotion to RADM in Jan 27 when he will take over as Head of Naval Engineering (HNE).
I am not sure of the last time there were so many Submariners in the top jobs (CDF/CN/AUKUS positions and now HNE). Henri served in both Oberon and Collins Class submarines as well as a number of Squadron positions. He is currently DG Naval Engineering.

Cheers

David Strangward, AM