Page 21 - The Gem | August 2024 Magazine

But not every sporting activity has been incident
free. At age 14, Bruce was riding his bike when he
was hit by a local grocer’s truck on a sweeping
curve in Brisbane. The injuries sustained were
life-threatening (a femoral artery was severed).
Fortunately, a recently retired doctor living
nearby came to his aid. With time the leg healed,
but later in life the injury attributed to his two
hip replacements. Bruce now plays sports more
suited to his lifestyle and physical ability.

“For almost 15 years scuba diving was a big
interest for me and I’d go to many places
including Flinders Reef off Moreton Island, Heron
Island, and dived to see old World War 2 wrecks
in the Solomon Islands,” Bruce, 70, said.
“After that I got into golf, and now that I’m
retired, I play socially on the Gold Coast or in
Brisbane three or four times a fortnight.”
Bruce and Julie (who also worked with the police
force as a civilian and now works part-time in
HR) have always enjoyed the camaraderie of the
Police Games and often competed or took on
coordinator roles. Bruce is still active with the
Queensland Police Golf Club and had a stint as
secretary for a number of years.
With a love of water recreation, Bruce and Julie
also have a passion for boats and owned a 36-
foot boat at one stage, which they would take
out on the weekends.

“When he was a teenager, our son Jake always
said the boat didn’t go fast enough and although
we love being on the water, rather than buying a
power boat, we bought a jet ski because it’s still
quick and easily fits in our garage. Jake comes
out on it too sometimes, and it’s fast enough for
him at 27,” Bruce grinned.
While the Country Club and its recreational
facilities are still some time away at GemLife
Tweed Waters, Julie and Bruce are enjoying
happy hours with their neighbours and are
looking forward to the social aspect of the
GemLife Games.
“I am volunteering this year, and I’ll be sure to
cheer Bruce on. We’ll both enjoy the social side
for sure,” Julie said.

20 The Gem GemLife.com.au AUGUST 2024 21