Just before 8am on December 26, 2004, a massive 9.3 scale earthquake struck off the west coast of Sumatra in northern

Indonesia, hitting 240km from the coast and 49km below the ocean floor.

It was estimated that the earthquake released energy equivalent to 23,000 Hiroshima-type atomic bombs.

The result was that a huge tsunami was triggered with waves up to 30 metres high, devastating communities along the surrounding coasts of the Indian Ocean, killing an estimated 227,898 people in 14 countries, with the hardest hit locations being in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives. 

Twenty three Australians died while holidaying in Thailand, and a further three in Sri Lanka. Among those killed was young Melbourne footballer Troy Broadbridge, who was on his honeymoon at Phi Phi Island in Thailand with his young bride, Trish.

On the 20th anniversary of the tragedy, we remember Troy and all of the victims of the Boxing Day Tsunami. Here is a tribute written on our site twelve months after the event to Troy, to his teammates, to his widow Trish and to all those who perished that day.

We remember.

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.

Our Demon Army TikTok creator @Katrina Dee Fan made this…

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS6jUfqnh/

Edited December 25, 2024Dec 25 by Ghostwriter

It's hard to believe it's been 20 years. A promising career cut short, one of many lives cut awfully too short. 

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

Our Demon Army TikTok creator @Katrina Dee Fan made this…

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS6jUfqnh/

Thank you for sharing it, @Ghostwriter, I wanted to make that one special. If anyone who doesn’t have TikTok and can’t see it, please let me know, I can post an alternative link.

2 minutes ago, Lexinator said:

It's hard to believe it's been 20 years. A promising career cut short, one of many lives cut awfully too short. 

I know, just awful. I can’t imagine experiencing something like that. Makes my blood run cold thinking about it. Poor Troy.

Just now, Katrina Dee Fan said:

Thank you for sharing it, @Ghostwriter, I wanted to make that one special. If anyone who doesn’t have TikTok and can’t see it, please let me know, I can post an alternative link.

Yes, please. Don't have socials, but TikTok doesn't work if you don't have it where others still work. An alternative would be greatly appreciated.

8 minutes ago, Lexinator said:

Yes, please. Don't have socials, but TikTok doesn't work if you don't have it where others still work. An alternative would be greatly appreciated.

Cool, I did post it on my Twitter as well, hope this works better 

 

Its already 20 years since Troys passing, where does the time go.

Will never be forgotten.

Broady!  ❤️💙

4 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Our Demon Army TikTok creator @Katrina Dee Fan made this…

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS6jUfqnh/

That is great work thanks for sharing.

2 hours ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

Cool, I did post it on my Twitter as well, hope this works better 

 

20.

20.

Thanks KDF.

RIP Troy, still just so horrible 20 years on.

Gone but not forgotten.

I was about 10/11 when this happened. I remember asking my mum every hour if they had found him (alive) She said it broke her heart because she knew he most likely had passed. I was devastated for ages (as I was for everyone else) but a footy player at your beloved team hits different. 
 

rip Troy 

I Remember Round 1 2005

The Sky was Red and Blue that evening before Sunset 

I shall never forget that moment 

Broadie #20

4 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

I Remember Round 1 2005

The Sky was Red and Blue that evening before Sunset 

I shall never forget that moment 

Broadie #20

I was at that match too.

Like you, I will never forget it. 

 

5 minutes ago, At Least I Saw a Flag said:

I was at that match too.

Like you, I will never forget it. 

 

As was I, @Sir Why You Little.

I had forgotten that sky (though I have photos of it trapped forever in a broken phone).

I won't again.

35 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

As was I, @Sir Why You Little.

I had forgotten that sky (though I have photos of it trapped forever in a broken phone).

I won't again.

Yes i have always wished i had taken photos of that night sky. As i have never seen it so vivid again, it really was such a surreal moment 

 

To his family, we still miss your boy.

Ripping lad from all reports, and an absolute hero of a man who gave his life to save his wife.

He must have come from super stock. You should be so proud.

On 27/12/2024 at 23:10, Sir Why You Little said:

Yes i have always wished i had taken photos of that night sky. As i have never seen it so vivid again, it really was such a surreal moment 

What a night that was. Probably the most surreal night at the footy I can remember.

On 26/12/2024 at 08:59, Katrina Dee Fan said:

Cool, I did post it on my Twitter as well, hope this works better 

 

After all this time this still bought a tear to my eyes. I will always remember where I was when I heard this on the news. So tragic and so terribly sad. Thank you for the memories ❤️💙