Get to Know the Exec: Eli Brighton, Secretary
This interview first appeared in the March 2026 edition of the SSG Multisports newsletter.
As our dedicated Secretary and social media champion, Eli Brighton keeps SSG Multisports connected through newsletters, welcoming new members and sharing our stories. Here is his quick chat on family, ocean swims and what makes our club special.
1. How did you and Jodie first discover SSG Multisports, and what initially drew you to our ocean swims at Suttons Beach?
Jodie discovered SSG Multisports first and I joined later when I finally decided to give triathlon a proper crack. We were living in Brisbane city at the time and Jodie had been training with South Bank Tri Club. After moving from Bundaberg to Brisbane, we later settled on the Redcliffe Peninsula. That is when Jodie rediscovered her love for triathlon. I had been a social member for a while, but it was my brother-in-law who finally convinced me to commit. We signed up for the Bribie Tri Series together and I became a full member. I have always been a confident swimmer, growing up at the beach and spending hours catching waves or trying to swim underwater laps on a single breath. There is something special about relaxing into the ocean instead of fighting it. That welcoming bay vibe at Suttons Beach is exactly what drew me in and keeps me coming back.
2. As Secretary, what does a typical week look like for you, especially with your social media and communications work?
A typical week involves keeping an eye on our club pages, groups and chats, answering emails and messages, editing photos for social media posts, tracking members’ race results for Cherry Bombs, and planning training events such as brick sessions. I also welcome new members, conduct interviews and help pull together the monthly newsletter. It is a busy but rewarding mix that lets me combine my tech and communication skills with supporting the club I love.
3. You grew up in Bundaberg before Brisbane. How has that coastal background shaped your love for the ocean and multisport?
Growing up in Bundaberg definitely shaped my love for the ocean and multisport. I spent countless hours bodyboarding and learned to surf during summers at Agnes Water with my dad. He took me on all sorts of adventures, from rock climbing to spearfishing, where I learned to push through challenges and stay calm in the water. I even started my multisport journey there as Secretary of Bargara Tri Club, helping organise an Olympic-distance event. Jodie and I did our first fun run together at Cane2Coral and joined the Bundaberg Road Runners, which led us into triathlon. That coastal upbringing gave me a deep respect for the ocean and the confidence to keep coming back to it.
4. Training and racing alongside Jodie has become a big part of your story. How has being part of SSG together strengthened both your relationship and your club involvement?
Training and racing with Jodie is something special. She is fiercely competitive and has incredible grit, which has taken her far in the sport. I used to rely on fleeting motivation, but SSG has taught me the power of discipline and consistency. When Jodie became President, I knew I wanted to support her and the club, so I put my hand up for Secretary, a role I had done before at Bargara Tri Club. Being involved together has brought us closer and given me the chance to use my skills in photography, social media and event planning to help SSG grow. The club’s inclusive, supportive spirit is real, and it feels even better sharing it as a couple.
5. You recently completed your first standard-distance triathlon at the Hervey Bay 50. What was the highlight of that weekend for you?
The Hervey Bay 50 was a big step up from my only previous sprint tri. The swim was shortened but choppy, the bike leg tested me on Gatakers Hill, and the run was solid. My highlight was simply finishing strong and feeling proud of how far I had come. Racing my own race, catching up with fellow SSG member Chris Wood for some friendly cat-and-mouse on the bike, and crossing the line with enough left for a sprint finish made the whole weekend memorable. Plus, having Jodie and the SSG crew there cheering made it even better.
6. Our club is proud of its swim-group origins. What does that heritage mean to you, and how do you see it showing up in SSG today?
The swim-group origins are at the heart of SSG and something I am very proud of. When people ask what SSG stands for, I love telling them it started as Suttons Swim Group. That heritage lives on every Sunday when nervous new members arrive for their first ocean swim and leave feeling welcomed and supported. The feedback we receive about those welcoming bay vibes shows the spirit is as strong as ever. It is the foundation that makes our club inclusive and fun today.
7. You’re passionate about environmental causes, reefs, SolarPunk ideas, and technology. How do these interests connect with SSG’s values of being inclusive, supportive, and caring for our environment?
The ocean is our playground and we need to protect it. The thought that the Great Barrier Reef could be lost in a generation breaks my heart. That is why I am passionate about moving away from fossil fuels, reducing waste and using technology for good. SSG’s values of caring for our environment show up in simple ways, like picking up any litter after our Sunday swims or BBQs. Moreton Bay and Suttons Beach are beautiful places and I want the next generation to enjoy them as much as I have.
What has been one of your proudest moments so far with SSG, whether volunteering at the Moreton Bay Swim or in your Executive role?
My proudest moments come when I send out the monthly newsletter. Pulling together members’ stories takes time and effort, but seeing people open up and share their journeys is special. The Moreton Bay Swim was a close second. So many volunteers worked together to deliver a fantastic community event. Both experiences remind me why I love serving on the Executive.
9. Outside club activities and family life, what’s one of your favourite ways to unwind?
With family, work and club commitments there is not a lot of spare time, but I love grabbing a beer with friends, going camping, taking the car off-road or watching sci-fi movies and the latest UFC events. I am also keen to get back on my mountain bike now that triathlon has taken over my weekends.
Claim to fame, besides being Secretary or your tech and automation skills?
I spent over ten years DJing in clubs and festivals, including supporting The Cat Empire at a local music festival. It was a fun chapter and taught me a lot about reading a crowd and bringing energy to an event.
11. Do you have a favourite quote that keeps you motivated during training, club work, or busy family life?
Discipline beats motivation every time. Practice makes progress, not perfection. Failure is just a step toward success. And anything by Alan Watts always gives me perspective.
12. What’s one important lesson you’ve learned since joining SSG?
As an Executive member, you serve the members first. It is about leading by example and finding ways to add genuine value to everyone’s experience.
13. What advice would you give to new members, especially those balancing family, work, and starting ocean swimming?
Sign up for your next event straight after finishing one. Having skin in the game keeps you consistent. Listen to your body, rest when you need to and remember it is okay to miss a session to recover properly. Most importantly, if you have a family, bring them along to watch you do epic things. They learn more from seeing you in action than from any pep talk.
What makes SSG Multisports special to you, and why are you proud to serve on the Executive Committee?
SSG is special because it has grown from a small swim group into an award-winning club that changes lives, yet it still feels like family. I am proud to serve on the Executive because I get to help keep those swim-group origins alive while helping the club grow. Standing on the shoulders of the members who built it is an honour, and I love knowing we are passing on those same welcoming, supportive values to the next generation of Ninjas.
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