Channelling Bruce Simpson's legacy
Bruce stood beside me when I needed strength.
Now I'm swimming the Northern Channel and raising $100,000 for The Bruce Simpson Rural Leadership Scholarships in his memory.
Can you help Michael Powell reach this goal?
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I lost my leg at age four. I’ve spent my life pushing limits on the sports field, in open water, and now in one of the world’s toughest swims: the icy North Channel from Northern Ireland to Scotland.
To carry his legacy forward, I’m raising $100,000 for the Bruce Simpson Rural Leadership Scholarship - a $2 million perpetual fund that will support rural leadership through the Australian Rural Leadership Program.
I’ve tried twice before. Ten hours in the water each time. I didn’t make it. But I’ve never stopped thinking about it.
Tom Neylan
Greg Kelly
John Haughton
Brittany Parker
Lachlan Crowther
Louise Rosemann
michael powell
Zelda Chambers`
About Bruce Simpson
Generous. Dependable. Calm.
Cheerful. Magnanimous. Wise. Kind. Fair. Honest. Direct. Compassionate. Bruce brought calm leadership, unwavering generosity, and a love for agriculture to the communities he served. His journey began far from the expansive paddocks of the New South Wales Riverina, but he quickly found his way to the land, following his deep-seated passion for farming and rural life.
Bruce was known for his quiet strength and fair-mindedness, whether as Chair of Murray Irrigation Ltd. or as an agribusiness consultant and mentor. His thoughtful approach made him a trusted voice on complex issues, from water management to community advocacy. At every step, he championed fairness, always willing to listen, support, and help others find their way forward.
When Bruce unexpectedly passed in February 2024, his loss was deeply felt by his family, friends, and the many who looked to him as a guiding force. Nearly 1,000 people gathered along the Edward River to honour his memory—a tribute to a life lived with integrity and heart.
Bruce’s legacy will live on in each scholarship recipient who steps forward to carry on his vision—a vision for a resilient, thriving rural Australia where leadership is cultivated and shared for generations to come.
About the Bruce Simpson Rural Scholarship Fund
Giving back in perpetuity
The Bruce Simpson Rural Scholarship Fund honours Bruce Simpson, a passionate advocate for rural Australia and the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) 7 alum. Bruce dedicated his life to empowering his community and the agricultural sector. With his sudden passing following an anaphylactic reaction in early 2024, his family partnered with the ARLF to create a $2 million perpetual fund to ensure that Bruce’s commitment lives on by providing an annual scholarship to a promising individual from the rural sector to undertake the ARLP and develop critical leadership skills.
Equip leaders to tackle emerging challenges
By donating, you’re fueling a fund that evolves with the rural sector’s needs, preparing leaders to meet tomorrow’s challenges with resilience and innovation.
Empower leaders who make a difference
Your contribution enables future leaders to gain skills, confidence, and connections that will drive meaningful, lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
Champion diversity in rural leadership
Your contribution provides scholarships to candidates from diverse communities and industries, ensuring that all voices get to lead and shape the future of rural Australia.
"Bruce always put himself in positions where he kept learning. He knew you never stop learning. For future scholarship recipients, I just hope they grow from their ARLP experience like Bruce grew from his and embrace that learning."
Shandra Simpson
"What drew us to aligning this initiative to the ARLF is that they have the know-how of building future leaders in this country. It is absolutely critical that we do this work to connect all of Australia with the issues affecting rural areas. We want to equip people with the skills, confidence and ability to represent not just themselves, but their communities. Instilling leadership skills is vitally important to bring about change."
John Simpson
“The creation of a self-sustaining fund is of huge importance to Bruce’s family, and to the ARLF. The enormous potential of the fund to support a committed leader – with full scope to match with the best candidate – is exciting. These scholarships afford an invaluable opportunity for diverse people to access a world-class leadership development opportunity.”
Matt Linnegar
