August 2004
STAR OF COURAGE
Mr Geoffrey Douglas ROBINSON
On the evening of 11 September 2002 , Mr Robinson rescued a man from a burning petrol tanker after an accident on the Bruce Highway at Kybong , Queensland .
Mr Robinson, a truck driver, was driving behind a petrol tanker on the Bruce Highway at Kybong when the tanker ran off the road and flipped onto its side. The accident caused both the fuel tank and the rig's chassis to catch fire. Mr Robinson stopped his truck to investigate, joining another driver who had been travelling ahead of him and who had also seen the accident. Fully aware of the danger that the tanker could explode at any moment, Mr Robinson and the other driver ran to the tanker, carrying a fire extinguisher and a torch. Seeing an injured man trapped in the cabin, Mr Robinson and his companion attempted to open the vehicle door to gain access to the man, without success. Mr Robinson's companion then smashed in the tanker's windscreen with a fire extinguisher, enabling the two men to reach into the cabin and pull out the injured tanker driver. They carried the man a safe distance away from the burning tanker, which exploded about five minutes later.
By his actions, Mr Robinson displayed conspicuous courage.
Mr Dennis Allan SAVAGE
On the evening of 11 September 2002 , Mr Savage rescued a man from a burning petrol tanker after an accident on the Bruce Highway at Kybong , Queensland .
Mr Savage, a truck driver, was driving immediately behind a petrol tanker on the Bruce Highway at Kybong when the tanker ran off the road and flipped onto its side. The accident caused both the fuel tank and the rig's chassis to catch fire. Mr Savage stopped his truck in the middle of the road to block other traffic, and used his UHF radio to warn other drivers. Another driver who had been following him and had also seen the accident soon joined him. Fully aware of the danger that the tanker could explode at any moment, Mr Savage grabbed a fire extinguisher and torch from his truck and ran with the other driver to the tanker. Seeing an injured man trapped in the cabin, Mr Savage and his companion attempted to open the vehicle door to gain access to the man, without success. Mr Savage then smashed the tanker's windscreen with a fire extinguisher, and made a larger hole with his hands and feet. This enabled the two men to reach into the cabin and pull out the injured tanker driver. They then carried him a safe distance away from the burning tanker, which exploded about five minutes later.
By his actions, Mr Savage displayed conspicuous courage.
BRAVERY MEDAL
Mr Daniel Alan BLAKE
On the evening of 4 October 2003 , Mr Blake rescued a child from drowning in a rip at Yorkeys Knob beach near Cairns , Queensland .
At about 6:00 pm Mr Blake was at Simms Esplanade, Yorkeys Knob beach when he saw a man and a boy in difficulties in the water about 40 metres from the shore. The child had been body-surfing and got caught in a rip. Seeing the boy being dragged out to sea, his father had swum out to try to rescue him but had also become caught in the rip. Mr Blake swam out to help the man, grabbing the boy and bringing him back safely to the beach. The man, who had been struggling to stay afloat, then disappeared from view and another beach goer ran into the water to try and find him. However after searching for 20 minutes in rough seas the beach goer was unable to locate the man, and because of exhaustion he had to abandon the rescue attempt and return to shore. Tragically, two days later the man's body was found on a beach three kilometres north of Yorkey's Knob.
By his actions, Mr Blake displayed considerable bravery.
Mr Stephen Malcolm COTTEE
In the late evening of 16 April 2003 , Mr Cottee rescued a woman from a burning vehicle at North Maclean, Queensland .
Mr Cottee was watching television in his living room when he heard a loud bang nearby. He ran outside and saw that a vehicle had run off the road and crashed into a tree, bursting into flames. The injured driver, a woman, was trapped in the front seat. Mr Cottee ran to the car and finding the driver's side front door had opened on impact, reached in to try and pull the woman from the vehicle. Unable to free her because one of her legs was jammed underneath the collapsed dashboard, Mr Cottee reached further into the vehicle to reach the woman's trapped leg and after several attempts was able to free it. He then dragged the woman from the car and moved her a safe distance away, where he comforted her until emergency services arrived. Soon after Mr Cottee rescued the woman, her car was totally engulfed in flames.
By his actions, Mr Cottee displayed considerable bravery.
Mr David James GAWLER
On the afternoon of 20 November 2002 , Mr Gawler rescued a child from drowning in the Coomera River, Queensland.
Mr Gawler and a work colleague were driving along the Pacific Highway from the Sunshine Coast when they saw a woman throw her two children and herself off the Commera River Bridge . The tide was sweeping them away from the bridge. Mr Gawler and his colleague stopped their car and both ran to help. Without hesitation, Mr Gawler entered the water and swam to the three people. The river was murky, with a strong current. When Mr Gawler reached the woman, he saw she was holding a young boy underwater. He wrestled with the woman to free the child, and after a struggle Mr Gawler managed to grab hold of the boy and swam with him to the riverbank.
By his actions, Mr Gawler displayed considerable bravery.
Mr Faatiga IOSIA (deceased)
On the evening of 4 October 2003 , Mr Iosia attempted to rescue his partner's son from drowning in a rip at Yorkeys Knob beach near Cairns , Queensland .
At about 6:00 pm Mr Iosia, his partner and their two children were at Simms Esplanade, Yorkeys Knob beach. One of the children, a boy then aged nine, was body-surfing about forty metres from the shore. After a few minutes the boy became caught in a rip and was dragged out to sea. Although not a strong swimmer, Mr Iosia ran into the water to try to rescue the boy. Once he reached the child, Mr Iosia grasped hold of him and tried to swim to the shore, but also became caught up in the rip. A male beach goer saw the two were in difficulties and swam out to assist, grabbing the boy and bringing him back safely to the beach. Mr Iosia, who had been struggling to stay afloat, then disappeared from view and another man ran into the water to try and find him. After searching for 20 minutes in rough seas the man was unable to locate Mr Iosia. Totally exhausted by the ocean conditions, despite being a strong swimmer, the man had to abandon his attempt to rescue Mr Iosia and returned to shore. Tragically, two days later Mr Iosia's body was found on a beach three kilometres north of Yorkey's Knob.
By his actions, Mr Iosia displayed considerable bravery.
Mr Joe LIJEWSKI
On the afternoon of 20 November 2002 , Mr Lijewski rescued a child from drowning in the Coomera River, Queensland.
Mr Lijewski and a work colleague were driving along the Pacific Highway from the Sunshine Coast when they saw a woman throw her two children and herself off the Commera River Bridge . The tide was sweeping them away from the bridge. Mr Lijewski and his colleague stopped their car and both ran to help. Without hesitation, Mr Lijewski jumped off the Bridge into the river, which was approximately 1.5 metres deep and murky with a strong current. He swam to where one of the children, a baby, was floating face-down, and grabbed hold of the baby. Realising it had stopped breathing, Mr Lijewski administered basic resuscitation after which the baby revived. He then swam with the baby to the river bank where others tended to it until ambulance services arrived.
By his actions, Mr Lijewski displayed considerable bravery.
Mr Christopher Bruce McMURTRIE
On the evening of 4 October 2003 , Mr McMurtrie attempted to rescue a man from drowning at Yorkeys Knob beach near Cairns , Queensland .
At about 6:00 pm Mr McMurtrie was at Simms Esplanade, Yorkeys Knob beach when he saw a man and a boy in difficulties in the water about 40 metres from the shore. The child had been body-surfing and had got caught in a rip. Seeing the boy being dragged out to sea, his father swam out to try to rescue him but had also become caught in the rip. Another beach goer swam to help the man, grabbing the boy and bringing him back safely to the beach. The man, who had been struggling to stay afloat, then disappeared from view and Mr McMurtrie ran into the water to try and find him. However after searching for 20 minutes in rough seas Mr McMurtrie, a strong swimmer, was unable to locate the man and was forced through exhaustion to abandon the rescue attempt and return to shore. Tragically, two days later the man's body was found on a beach three kilometres north of Yorkey's Knob.
By his actions, Mr McMurtrie displayed considerable bravery.
Mr Kenneth John MELOURY
On the afternoon of 30 November 1999 , Mr Meloury participated in the rescue of two people from an aeroplane crash near Childers Aerodrome, Queensland .
Council worker Mr Meloury was working with three colleagues near the Childers Aerodrome when they saw a light aircraft go into a dive and crash into nearby bush. Mr Meloury and his colleagues went to the crash site and found the aeroplane upside down in dense scrub with two injured men trapped inside. Highly flammable aviation gasoline was leaking from its ruptured fuel tanks. Mr Meloury and a colleague lifted the tail section of the plane, enabling other colleagues to crawl into the wreckage and cut one of the men free. After rescuing the first man and carrying him to safety, Mr Meloury and his colleagues tried unsuccessfully to disconnect the aeroplane's battery to reduce the chance of an electrical spark setting the fuel alight. Despite the danger, Mr Meloury and his colleagues repeated their actions to rescue the second man. Mr Meloury then bulldozed a track from the road to the crash site to enable an ambulance to reach the victims.
By his actions, Mr Meloury displayed considerable bravery.
Mr Mark John MONLEY
On the afternoon of 30 November 1999 , Mr Monley participated in the rescue of two people from an aeroplane crash near Childers Aerodrome, Queensland .
Mr Monley was working with three colleagues near the Childers Aerodrome when they saw a light aircraft go into a dive and crash into nearby bush. Mr Monley and his colleagues went to the crash site and found the aeroplane upside down in dense scrub with two injured men trapped inside. Highly flammable aviation gasoline was leaking from its ruptured fuel tanks. His colleagues lifted the tail section of the plane, enabling Mr Monley and another colleague to crawl into the wreckage and cut one of the men free. After carrying the first man to safety, Mr Monley and his colleagues tried unsuccessfully to disconnect the aeroplane's battery to reduce the chance of an electrical spark setting the fuel alight. Despite the danger, Mr Monley and his colleague crawled back into the wreckage to rescue the second man, who could only be moved a few metres from the plane because of his injuries. Mr Monley remained with the men until police and ambulance arrived.
By his actions, Mr Monley displayed considerable bravery.
Mr Garry John MOTT
On the afternoon of 30 November 1999 , Mr Mott participated in the rescue of two people from an aeroplane crash near Childers Aerodrome, Queensland .
Mr Mott was working with three colleagues near the Childers Aerodrome when they saw a light aircraft go into a dive and crash into nearby bush. Mr Mott radioed to advise authorities of the accident, and then ran with a colleague to find the aeroplane which was upside down in dense scrub with two injured men trapped inside. Highly flammable aviation gasoline was leaking from its ruptured fuel tanks. Mr Mott sent for his other colleagues, who lifted the tail section of the plane, enabling him and another colleague to crawl into the wreckage and cut one of the men free. After carrying the first man to safety Mr Mott and his colleagues tried unsuccessfully to disconnect the aeroplane's battery to reduce the chance of an electrical spark setting the fuel alight. Despite the danger, Mr Mott and his colleague crawled back into the wreckage to rescue the second man, who could only be moved a few metres from the plane because of his injuries. Mr Mott remained with the men until police and ambulance arrived.
By his actions, Mr Mott displayed considerable bravery.
Mr Ross Cecil O'BRIEN
On the afternoon of 30 November 1999 , Mr O'Brien participated in the rescue of two people from an aeroplane crash near Childers Aerodrome, Queensland .
Mr O'Brien was working with three colleagues near the Childers Aerodrome when they saw a light aircraft go into a dive and crash into nearby bush. Mr O'Brien and his colleagues went to the crash site and found the aeroplane upside down in dense scrub with two injured men trapped inside. Highly flammable aviation gasoline was leaking from its ruptured fuel tanks. Mr O'Brien and a colleague lifted the tail section of the plane, enabling other colleagues to crawl into the wreckage and cut one of the men free. After rescuing the first man and carrying him to safety, Mr O'Brien and his colleagues tried unsuccessfully to disconnect the aeroplane's battery to reduce the chance of an electrical spark setting the fuel alight. Despite the danger, Mr O'Brien and his colleagues repeated their actions to rescue the second man. Mr O'Brien then directed ambulance, police and the fire brigade to the crash site.
By his actions, Mr O'Brien displayed considerable bravery.
COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT
Mr David John HILL
On the morning of 28 February 2003 , Mr Hill participated in the rescue of a teenage boy from floodwaters in the Leichhardt River near the Alma Street Causeway at Mount Isa , Queensland .
Mr Hill was working near the Alma Street Causeway when he saw a schoolboy trying to cross the flooded 70 metre-wide Causeway. The fast flowing current washed the boy off the Causeway and he was caught in a whirlpool. Mr Hill and his colleague drove to the riverbank and ran onto the Causeway near the boy to try and rescue him. Another man stopped his four-wheel drive vehicle at the river crossing, and parked it on the Causeway to try and buffer the current away from the boy. Standing in waist-deep water with his work mate holding onto him, Mr Hill attempted to grab the boy but could not reach him. Mr Hill jumped into the water still wearing his work gear including steel-capped boots, grasped hold of the boy and dragged him to calmer water. The man in the four-wheel drive then tossed a rope to Mr Hill's colleague, who threw it to Mr Hill, who tied the rope around the boy. The other men pulled the boy to safety, before repeating the process to drag Mr Hill to the riverbank.
By his actions, Mr Hill is commended for brave conduct.
Mr Donald Roy SILLS
On the morning of 28 February 2003 , Mr Sills participated in the rescue of a teenage boy from floodwaters at Mount Isa , Queensland .
Mr Sills was working near the Alma Street Causeway when he saw a schoolboy trying to cross the flooded 70 metre-wide Causeway. The fast-flowing current washed the boy off the Causeway and he was caught in a whirlpool. Mr Sills and his colleague drove to the riverbank and ran onto the Causeway to try and rescue the boy. Another man stopped his four-wheel drive vehicle at the river crossing, and parked it on the Causeway to try and buffer the current away from the boy. Standing in waist-deep water, Mr Sills held onto his work mate to stop him from falling in, wh ile his colleague attempted to grab hold of the boy but could not reach him. His work mate then jumped into the water, grasped hold of the boy and dragged him to calmer water. The man in the four-wheel drive then tossed a rope to Mr Sills, who threw it to his colleague. After the rope had been tied around the boy, Mr Sills and the man in the vehicle pulled him to safety, before repeating the process to drag the other rescuer to the river- bank.
By his actions, Mr Sills is commended for brave conduct.
GROUP CITATION FOR BRAVERY
Mr Wade Anthony BENNETT
Late on the evening of 19 November 2000 and into the afternoon of the following day, members of the New South Wales State Emergency Service, and several community volunteers, assisted in the evacuation and rescue of residents during a flash flood in the New South Wales town of Ashford in the New England district.
Torrential rain started falling in the Ashford area late at night and within a short time local creeks and rivers were flooding. The Ashford area branch of the State Emergency Service was receiving calls for help from local residents stranded by the rapidly rising floodwaters. With only the light of their vehicles and torches to guide them, and with the ever-present danger of electrocution by arcing power lines, and floating debris such as fuel drums and logs flowing through the floodwaters, the group manned flood boats and worked to evacuate and rescue town residents trapped in their homes. They also rescued a number of local property owners and their pets. Members of the group waded through fast flowing currents and formed human chains in order to reach trapped families. The group also rescued colleagues whose boat broke down about 7 kilometres down river after evacuating people from a flooded homestead. Their efforts continued throughout the night and into the afternoon of the next day.
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