Celebrating our most courageous u10s and u12s players.

Mike loved growing up in the rural environment near Armidale. He was at his happiest on a horse, rugby field or in the surf. He cherished friends and always had a wide circle from school, clubs and sports that he was associated with.

Mike enlisted in the Australian Army in January 2002 and was appointed as an Officer Cadet at the Australian Defence Force Academy. He completed a Bachelor of Arts and was a keen sportsman, continuing his passion for rugby.

He attended the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 2005, commissioning in December 2005 into the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. During his time at ‘A’ Field Battery he qualified as a paratrooper. He also deployed to East Timor on Operation Astute in 2006 and 2007. Lieutenant Fussell was posted to 4 RAR (Commando) in January 2008 as a Joint Offensive Support Team Commander.

Lieutenant Fussell was serving with the Special Operations Task Group when he was killed in action by an Improvised Explosive Device detonation while conducting a dismounted patrol in Uruzgan province, on Thursday 27 November, 2008.

Lieutenant Fussell’s military decorations include the Australian Active Service Medal with clasp International Campaign Against Terrorism (ICAT), the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Australian Service Medal clasp, Timor-Leste and the Australian Defence Medal.

Michael is survived by his two loving parents, Madeline and Ken, his younger brother Daniel and sister Nyah. Armidale Junior Rugby are so grateful for the family’s support of junior rugby in Armidale and are proud to continue to partner with the Fussell family in memory of Michael.