Alumni Profiles

Michael (Buckie) BUCK OAM

Graduated :
1973

Military Service History

1973 Officer Cadet School, Portsea
1974-75 2/4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Townsville – Garrison Duty RAAF Base, Butterworth -Regimental Signals Officer Course & Electronic Warefare Course.
1976 Infantry Centre, Singleton – Basic Parachute Course.
1977 5/7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Sydney – (SO4 HQ1TF Liaison Officer to Brigadier David Butler DSO
1978-79 3 Army Recruiting Unit, Melbourne
1980 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Townsville – (Resigned)

Decorations & Awards

Medal of the Order of Australia (General Division)

Australian Service Medal (SE ASIA)

Australian Defence Medal

Family

Amy Lyn Buck (Daughter)

Civilian Employment

Managing Director of two family businesses; RGB Pty Ltd t/a Ralph Buck Agencies www.ralphbuckagencies.com A.L.B. Pty Ltd t/a A.L.B. Distributors www.albdistributors.com.au Est. 1977

Description

Autobiography

I was initially posted as a rifle platoon commander with B Company 2/4^th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville. My Commanding Officer Lt Col J.P.A. Deighton MC directed that I complete an RSO’s course and an Electronic Warfare course in 1974 and after the completion of the courses I was made the Battalion RSO and paid higher duties allowance to Captain. In late 1975 I was given the opportunity to return to a rifle company and completed a deployment to RAAF Base Butterworth, Malaysia (ASM SE ASIA Clasp).

1976 I was posted to the Infantry Centre, Singleton as an Infantry Corp Training Instructor and during that posting I completed my Basic Parachute Course.

1977 I was promoted to Lieutenant and posted to 5/7^th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Holsworthy, Sydney and seconded to 1 Task Force Headquarters as the SO4 Liaison Officer to the 1 Task Force Commander, firstly to Brigadier David Morrison DSO (Promoted to Major General) and then to Brigadier David Butler DSO.

1978-79 I was promoted to Captain and posted as the Army Recruiting Officer –Victoria to 3 Army Recruiting Unit (3ARU) based at Broadmeadows, Melbourne. My role included various public speaking assignments on army careers, in schools, clubs and with influencer groups all over Victoria. I had access to my own staff car and I was responsible for the presentation of scholarship cheques to successful recipients for entry to the Royal Military College (RMC) Duntroon. I hosted many influencer group visits to the Officer Cadet School, Portsea and Royal Military College (RMC) Duntroon.

1980 I was posted to 1^st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Townsville as a rifle company 2IC however during this time my father Ralph Buck offered me a position in the family business and I resigned my commission in March 1980.

I joined the Army Reserve (11 Brigade) as a Captain in 1980-81 and carried out several training roles however due to work commitments I resigned at the end of 1981.

I became a director of RGB Pty Ltd in 1981 and I purchased the company from my father when he retired in 1994. My companies RGB Pty Ltd t/a Ralph Buck Agencies and A.L.B. Pty Ltd t/a A.L.B. Distributors operate from a large warehouse and showroom complex in Garbutt, Townsville and this year we celebrate our 40^th anniversary.

I have been married and divorced twice, 1984-94 and 2006-12 and have no plans to give anymore houses away. I have one daughter from my first marriage Amy and she is a graduate from Adelaide University, Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) CPA. Amy is currently a Finance Business Partner with Rio Tinto Iron Ore and FIFO to Greater Hope Downs 1.

2010 was a traumatic year for me being diagnosed with Aggressive B Cell Lymphoma, completing six months of intensive chemotherapy and having to overcome some very serious side effects. I have now been in remission for seven years and apart from Intragam infusions for my immune system and occasional PET/CT scans life goes on.

My passions included V8 Supercar racing and I have been attending several rounds for years throughout Australia (HOLDEN) is my preferred brand. I am passionate about spending time on any golf course and with a current handicap of 14, I enjoy several games a month. I also enjoy red wine so winery visits in the Hunter Valley and McLaren Vale give me the opportunity to add many fine reds to my wine collection. I am in transition to retirement phase and should all go well I plan to retire in 2022.

My grandfather 758 Trooper William Henry Buck 5th Light Horse Regiment was an original Gallipoli veteran. 2015 was a highlight with a seven week cruise on MSC Orchestra following the same sea route as the soldiers traveled in 1914-15 to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli. Sunrise on the 25th April 2015, I was off ANZAC COVE, such a special feeling that my grandfather was there 100 years before.

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