BRAVERY MEDAL
Mr Donald Paul SMITH
In the afternoon of 21 September 1995, Mr Smith rescued a woman from her burning vehicle at Cape Hillsborough, Queensland.
Mr Smith was alerted to a car crash near his property. He raced to the scene to find a seriously damaged car which had crashed into a tree with the driver unconscious. He immediately attempted to disconnect the car's engine which was still revving at high speed; however the vehicle's bonnet was jammed shut. Flames were beginning to consume the car's dashboard as Mr Smith attempted to get back into the vehicle. He entered the burning vehicle, and undid the woman's seatbelt. Despite the driver's dead weight and the awkward constraints of the confined space, Mr Smith pulled her out of the car and carried her to safety. Within moments the vehicle was entirely engulfed in flames and soon after was totally destroyed by fire.
By his actions, Mr Smith displayed considerable bravery.
Mr Josiah Tamata'ane TUPOU
On the afternoon of 7 January 2006, Mr Tupou assisted a woman who had been savagely mauled by a shark near Amity Point, Stradbroke Island, Queensland.
Mr Tupou was at Amity Point beach with his family when he was distracted by frantic screams for help from a young woman in the water. Mr Tupou entered the water and swam out to her. He saw that her torso was severely injured and that both her forearms had been severed by a shark attack. Mr Tupou took hold of her and brought her back to shore where he was assisted by others on the beach. Mr Tupou made her comfortable and applied clothing and towels to stem the victim's bleeding to her upper arms and torso. The young woman was airlifted to hospital but sadly, she died later as a result of her injuries.
By his actions, Mr Tupou displayed considerable bravery.
COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT
Mr Andrew John BARTLEY
During the evening of 24 June 2006, Mr Bartley helped rescue a woman from a burning vehicle on the Warrego Highway, Dalby, Queensland.
Mr Bartley was heading home with his wife, travelling along the Warrego Highway when they approached the scene of a two vehicle road accident. Both vehicles caught alight on impact and had ignited grass fires. Mr Bartley ran to one of the vehicles where a passenger was attempting to pull the female driver from the wreck. The four wheel drive vehicle was fitted with gas, and fearing that the car might explode, Mr Bartley grabbed the driver and pulled her from behind the wheel, across the passenger seat and out to the roadway where she was comforted by others until emergency services arrived. Mr Bartley tried to get close to the second vehicle to help the occupant but it was entirely engulfed by flames and he was forced to retreat. Mr Bartley was later treated for burns at hospital.
For his actions, Mr Bartley is commended for brave conduct.
Mr Travis James BROWN and Mr Tim Daniel GURRY
Late on the night of 25 December 2006, Mr Brown and Mr Gurry attempted to rescue a woman from her car which was submerged in the Brisbane River at Jindalee, Queensland.
Mr Brown and Mr Gurry were part of a group which had been fishing from a pontoon at Jindalee. The friends had been enjoying a barbeque when they saw a car head down the nearby boat ramp and slowly enter the river. One of the people in the group called out that a woman was trapped inside. Without hesitation, Mr Brown and Mr Gurry made their way through the water to the vehicle and tried to open the door but it wouldn't budge. They continued to yell at the woman to unlock her door but she could barely respond. Eventually, despite the enormous pressure of the water, the pair were able to prise it open. The river current was strong and visibility was very poor in the darkness. Both men attempted to move the woman from her seat but she was restrained by her seatbelt. The woman was disoriented and unable to help herself despite them repeatedly yelling at her to undo the seatbelt. The vehicle had quickly filled with water and was sinking, taking both men with it. Mr Brown managed to free himself and, distressed at realising he could do nothing else at this point to save the woman, swam back to the safety of the boat ramp. Mr Gurry who found himself wedged in the vehicle as it sank was also forced to abandon the rescue and swim to safety.
For their actions, Mr Brown and Mr Gurry are commended for brave conduct.
Mr Kirk Scott MUIR
During the evening of 24 June 2006, Mr Muir helped rescue a woman from a burning vehicle on the Warrego Highway, Dalby, Queensland.
Mr Muir was travelling on the Warrego Highway with a companion when their four wheel drive vehicle was involved in a two vehicle accident. Both vehicles caught alight on impact and had ignited the grass nearby.. Mr Muir looked at his companion and saw that she was unconscious. He opened his door and, in attempting to unbuckle himself from his seat, fell out onto the ground because of arm and leg injuries he had sustained in the accident. Fearing that the fire would spread and ignite gas in the vehicle, Mr Muir dragged himself back into the vehicle and attempted to pull his companion free. Unable to move her, Mr Muir called for the assistance of another person at the scene who was able to carry the woman to safety.
For his actions, Mr Muir is commended for brave conduct.
Mr Evan Keith WINSTANLEY
During the night of 23 October 2003, Mr Winstanley assisted in the rescue of a driver from a burning vehicle at Mascot, New South Wales.
Mr Winstanley was driving through Mascot and was alerted to a vehicle accident a short distance away - a car had crashed into a tree and was on fire. Mr Winstanley ran to the wreckage to help other people who were attempting to free the driver. Fire was spreading quickly through the cabin of the car, and the rescue attempt was further hampered by toxic black smoke billowing from the vehicle. Mr Winstanley assisted others make repeated attempts to rescue the driver, eventually dragging him clear of the car. Shortly afterwards, parts of the wreckage exploded. Sadly, the driver died as a result of his injuries.
For his actions, Mr Winstanley is commended for brave conduct.