December 26...

Today is the day we remember the passing of Troy Broadbridge in the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004.

I found this tribute written by Whispeing Jack on this day twelve months ago. It still fits the memory ...

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE by Whispering Jack

Three hundred and sixty-five days ago the earth moved, the seas split and a wave was sent across the ocean leaving a trail of devastation that took with it a quarter of a million lives across two continents.

We were touched by the tragedy; we felt its sadness and then life went on. Soon after, we could have been forgiven for thinking that despite the enormity of the event, the world remained unchanged.

Seemingly, nothing did change our world in 2005. People still died whether by natural causes, by natural disasters like earthquakes, floods and hurricanes, by epidemics such as AIDS or by man’s own hand everywhere on the planet but most notably in the deserts of Darfur, in the streets of Baghdad and even in the London Underground.

"Nothing's gonna change my world"

These are the words of the late John Lennon. Perhaps a single individual in a vast universe may feel that there is nothing he or she can do to change our world.

But we are not totally helpless - we can make a difference.

Trish Broadbridge, the Melbourne Football Club and friends proved this at Phi Phi Island - at the very place where their fallen husband and comrade Troy perished in the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004.

Their persistence and endeavour enabled the building of a school for the children of the devastated island - the finishing touches were applied with their own bare hands. That generations of young Thai children to come will benefit from their labour bears testament to the fact that all of us can make a difference.

We can change the world.

As I wake up with a hangover, getting ready for the Boxing Day Test match, it's sad to think of Troy, unable to enjoy the Melbourne city traditions he was once apart of. The guy loved life and shared his happiness with everyone around him. I'm sure that his family and friends would be thinking of those happy days spent with him today, and I hope it's not a difficult a day for them.

I also hope you've found your peace Troy.

2 years on, wow

still give troy a thought every so often, and to his family, will always be in ours hearts

His absence is still felt. Feels like it's going to be a long time until he leaves our minds.

RIP Troy.

Yes RIP Troy.

I do think about him alot. Its today though that it really brings back the emotion of it all.

My thoughts go out to Trisha and Broadbridge Family.

R.I.P Troy

I went to Thailand in August, and I was priveleged enough to have been able to visit Phi Phi island and stand on the same beach where Troy and Trisha spent their last moments together. It was a very moving experience.

I was also lucky enough to see the school that our boys built, in honour of Troy and the other victims of the tsunami.

RIP Broady, #20

im going there in march for my honeymoon and will look forward to our trip out to phi phi island

i would love to see the cup lifted next year with a jumper and #20 hanging form the cup

im going there in march for my honeymoon and will look forward to our trip out to phi phi island

i would love to see the cup lifted next year with a jumper and #20 hanging form the cup

I'll always remember the big red headed bloke running the ball out of defence at the G.

Go Broady!

Anyone who has lost someone they loved, would know that the pain never truely goes away.

I just hope that Trisha and Troy's family take comfort in the fact that he died a happy man, and that his memory will always live on with those who were lucky enough to know him.

RIP Troy.

I just hope that Trisha ........take comfort in the fact that he died a happy man

I have no doubt about that, how else could Trish have found love again within 15 months? It's all good.

Like some of you, Troy has been on my mind today. Our Number 20. I'm so thankful that I got to see him play live at the MCG for his last game. Having seen that, and now having seen how the game has developed over the last 2 years, I'm convinced Broaders would have been the league's most valuable defender going into 2007. Full Stop.

......geez you were coming good Troy. Breaks my heart.

im going there in march for my honeymoon and will look forward to our trip out to phi phi island

i would love to see the cup lifted next year with a jumper and #20 hanging form the cup

A wonderful sentiment condemned, but if this did happen next year, i'm afraid that i would already be in tears and overrun with emotion, let alone the heart attack i would probably have when the siren goes.

I never knew Troy personally. My son knew of him through a friend, but I enjoyed watching him play football, and I believe he would have filled a huge hole that our club has, a fast tall defender with courage to put himself in harms way. In reality he put himself in harms way to save someone very precious to him, his wife Trish.

Troy was a hero in every sense of the word but probably never felt like one, he was probably just doing what came natural to him.

R.I.P. Big Red Fire Engine, gone but not forgotten.

A wonderful sentiment condemned, but if this did happen next year, i'm afraid that i would already be in tears and overrun with emotion, let alone the heart attack i would probably have when the siren goes.

The heart attack would be worth it!

Go Dees!!!

Go Broady and thank you Demonland for dedicating the day to Troy.

Belatedly, my thoughts are with Trish and the Broadbridge family.