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Bruce Ruxton

Bruce Ruxton was President of the Victorian Branch of the Returned & Services League 1979 until June 2002. He is well known in Australia and around the world for his outspoken comments on many matters, all of which are part of the RSL's policies. In all this time, he worked a 12 hour day, 7 days each week and was unpaid.

Mr Ruxton is a returned serviceman-serving in the South West Pacific Area, the Netherlands - East Indies and was at the landing at Balikpapan in Borneo. He went to Japan Borneo with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force and served there for three years.

Bruce Ruxton has represented the RSL in many countries, including Russia four times; Gallipoli four times; the United Kingdom, Belgium and France six times, and South Africa twice. he has made many trips to South-East Asia, including China twice, the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Malaysia, including Borneo.

He has been awarded Life Membership of the RSL and the RSL's highest award - the Meritorious Medal.

He received an MBE in 1975, the QBE in 1981, the AM in 1996 and in 1997, President Chirac of France awarded Mr Ruxton the Chevalier of the Order of Merit of France. Most recently, Bruce was awarded France's highest award - the Legion d'Honneur.

Today Mr Ruxton will speak about Australia and its rich heritage, together with present problems facing Australia. Bruce Ruxton is much in demand throughout Australia as a vital, interesting and witty speaker who is also a wonderful motivator.