Johnson left the Navy after over a decade of service to spend more time with family.

For the Port Adelaide Football Club, the ANZAC Appeal Round is about more than a game of football, it’s a year-round commitment to supporting the veteran community, and recognising the stories of service, sacrifice and transition that shape the Australian Defence Force. 

For Navy veteran Tim Johnson, that story began just down the road in regional South Australia. 

“I grew up in Gawler and joined the Navy when I was 17,” Johnson said. “I finished Year 12 and went straight in. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I had a lot of family history in the Army and Navy, so it just made sense. 

Johnson would go on to spend 15 years in the Royal Australian Navy, working as a combat systems operator aboard Anzac-class frigates, a role that saw him operate radars and communications systems during deployments across Australia and overseas. 

“It was a pretty special career. I spent a lot of time at sea, a lot of time away, but it made coming home and reconnecting with family and friends even more meaningful.” 

But after more than a decade of service, priorities began to shift. 

“Leaving was my decision. I’d achieved a lot of what I wanted to in my career, but when my wife and I had our son, being away from home became a lot harder. I loved the Navy, but I wanted to be there for my family.” 

Johnson joined the Navy at 17 and spent time both in Australia and overseas.

That transition, however, came with its challenges. 

“The Navy is a very structured environment, everything’s planned, everything’s clear. To come out of that and suddenly have to figure it all out yourself was a big change, there were definitely times where it felt like a big part of me was missing.” 

It was during this period that Johnson became part of Port Adelaide’s ADF Veterans Program, delivered by the club’s not-for-profit arm, Power Community Limited. 

Designed to support veterans transitioning from service, the program brings together former ADF personnel and ex-AFL players, drawing on shared experiences of leaving high-performance environments. 

“I was fortunate to be part of the inaugural program, and it came at a really important time,” Johnson said. 

“It gave me confidence and direction in what I was going to do next. It helped me cut through a bit of that self-doubt and stay focused on that next step.” 

The program focuses on key areas including transition, mental health, wellbeing and relationships, while ongoing connection events ensure participants remain supported beyond the initial program. 

For Johnson, one of the most powerful aspects was the sense of shared understanding. 

A participant in the inaugural ADF Veterans Program, Johnson found the experience helpful in figuring out what came next after spending so much of his life in active service.

“I joined at 17 it’s all I’d ever known - working in high-performance teams, under pressure, that becomes part of your identity. 

“There are a lot of similarities between that and an elite athlete stepping away from the game, you’re rebuilding who you are and what makes you tick.” 

Those connections and shared experiences are central to both the ADF Veterans program and the club’s broader work supporting Defence families. 

Alongside its veterans program, Power Community Limited also delivers Power to Thrive - a wellbeing and resilience initiative designed for children of ADF families, equipping them with tools to navigate the unique challenges of military life. The program has continued to grow, expanding internationally in 2025 to support families based in Penang, Malaysia. 

As Port Adelaide prepares to mark ANZAC Appeal Round with a Navy-inspired guernsey, Johnson said the recognition carries deep meaning. 

“I think it’s fantastic the club has chosen to commemorate Navy personnel this way,” he said. 

“ANZAC Day has always been really special, no matter where I was in Australia or overseas, we’d always find a way to come together and watch the footy. 

“I think a Navy-specific guernsey will really resonate with a lot of serving personnel and veterans.” 

Above all, Johnson hopes the round helps shine a light on the realities of service. 

“The biggest thing I’d want people to understand is the sacrifice,” he said. 

“That’s not just deployments; it’s the whole lifestyle. Time away from family, missing important moments, big life events. That sacrifice extends well beyond the person serving.” 

Port Adelaide will mark ANZAC Day with a series of special tributes under lights at Adelaide Oval this Saturday night, with tickets available now.