More Than a Game: How the Rivervue Bomber Tragics Found Their Tribe

There are many ways to celebrate a passion, but sometimes it’s the simplest things that bring people together. A shared love. A familiar ritual. A team you’ve barracked for through thick and thin.

At Rivervue, a group of retirees has found just that connection through football, friendship and a healthy sense of fun. They call themselves the Rivervue Bomber Tragics — or simply RBT — and they wear the title with pride.

RBT is a group of fun-loving retirees who have two key things in common: a lifelong devotion to the Essendon Football Club and an enthusiasm for making the most of retirement. On game days, they gather to watch the Bombers, relive great moments, debate selections and share plenty of laughs. But when the footy isn’t on, they’re just as busy doing what retirees do best — travelling far and wide.

Each year, the group runs its much-loved Travellin’ Tragics competition, where members showcase just how adventurous retirement can be. Over the past year alone, RBT members have clocked up an impressive 70 destinations across Australia and the world, from Port Douglas to Switzerland, India, to the Amalfi Coast, all proudly flying the Essendon colours along the way.

Football remains at the heart of the group, and RBT regularly meets and invites Essendon football royalty to the Rivervue Retirement Village to share their stories. Recently, they have had Simon Madden, Kevin Sheedy, Barry Besanko and Natalie Wood, Senior Coach of the Essendon Women’s Football Club, speak about their life, their experience and influence on the game.

This month, RBT will welcome its first speaker for 2026 - Essendon legend Barry Capuano. Barry’s contribution to football spans five decades, from premiership player to senior administrator and passionate advocate for player welfare. His visit promises an evening rich in stories, insights and nostalgia.

You don’t have to be a die-hard Bombers supporter to join, its all about having fun, sharing our passions – for sport, enjoying life and experiences.

At the February gathering, the RBT will announce the 2025 Travellin’ Tragics Photo of the Year, a moment that captures exactly what RBT is all about — connection, curiosity and the joy of shared passions.

Because at Rivervue, retirement isn’t about slowing down. It’s about coming together, cheering loudly, travelling boldly and finding new ways to belong.

If you would like to know more about the RBT or the Rivervue Retirement community, call us on 1300 298 439.