Terry O’Grady, OAM, JP

~ On the Canvas Of Service, 2022

Petty Officer Coxswain Submarines (POCOX’NSM) Ret’d

Royal Australian Navy

Tex doesn’t speak in headlines. He speaks in lived truth. Steady, direct, without needing to dress anything up. When I met him, I could feel that steadiness right away. His life—like his words—was built with intention, and lived without fuss.

He told me the ocean had called to him from early on. His brother had joined the Navy at seventeen, and not long after, Tex followed. It was not about proving something. It was about belonging. The way he spoke about it, there was no performance—just a kind of returning. Like he had always known where he was supposed to be.

He mentioned motorcycles the way others might mention walking—casually, as if it was simply how he moved through the world. I could hear the weight behind the simplicity. Riding had always been a part of him. Not just for thrill, but for balance. Motion as a kind of survival.

Content Advisory:

The following story contains personal reflections from an Australian veteran that may include themes of trauma, war-related experiences, mental health struggles, and suicide. These narratives are shared with deep respect and the intent to honour service, foster understanding, and offer hope to those facing similar challenges.

If you are feeling distressed or need support, we encourage you to reach out. Help is available.

• Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)

• Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling: 1800 011 046 (24/7 support for veterans and their families)

Please proceed with care and compassion.

Then he spoke about Bundy.

She was not an anecdote. Not a detail. She was a presence. “In 2021, Bundy became the most travelled dog on a motorcycle in the world, with over 1,000,000 kilometres under her belt,” he said. But the line that stayed with me was quieter. “Bundy became my shadow.” And in that pause, I understood what she meant to him. Companionship. Stillness. Love that does not ask questions.

Now, Tex takes others out on the water aboard his vessel—veterans, first responders, people carrying unseen weight. He does not preach or push. He simply shares the sea. And in doing so, gives them space to breathe again.

There are stories that don’t ask to be told loudly. Tex’s is one of them. It lingers. Quiet. Solid. A gift.

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