August 2005
STAR OF COURAGE
Mr Ronald James WALL
On the afternoon of 28 February 2004, Mr Wall rescued a woman and child trapped in a burning vehicle after a collision at Berrinba, Queensland.
Mr Wall was driving on the Logan Motorway when he stopped to assist at the scene of a three-vehicle collision. Mr Wall ran to one of the vehicles, which had rolled over and was on fire. The injured female driver was trapped, unconscious, in her seat and an injured unconscious child was trapped in the rear seat of the vehicle. Mr Wall climbed on top of the vehicle and forced the rear door open. While another man held the door, Mr Wall lowered himself into the burning vehicle, released the child's seatbelt and lifted the child out of the vehicle into the care of others. Despite the increasing danger from the fire and the intensity of the heat and smoke, Mr Wall returned inside the car, slid into the front seat, and, after several attempts, freed the woman's trapped foot. He then lifted her up high enough for people outside the car to carry her to safety. Mr Wall was overcome with shock and exhaustion and needed to be assisted from the vehicle.
By his actions, Mr Wall displayed conspicuous courage.
BRAVERY MEDAL
Mr Milton Wayne ELLIS
On the afternoon of 22 December 2003, Mr Ellis assisted in the rescue of two men from floodwaters after a crocodile attack in the Finniss River, Northern Territory.
Mr Ellis was working as a helicopter engineer and crewman as part of a response team tasked with rescuing two men who had taken refuge in a large tree surrounded by rising floodwaters after their friend had been taken by a 4 metre crocodile. Despite rain squalls, poor visibility, flood conditions and the potentially still-present danger of the crocodile, Mr Ellis and another man were winched, with a life raft, down from a helicopter slightly upstream from the tree where the two men were trapped. Mr Ellis and the other man set off in the raft using swim fins, a water tray and broken branches as paddles. The helicopter pilot positioned the aircraft to enable the downdraft to push the raft against the current and assist Mr Ellis and the other man to paddle across the river, a method that also increased the risk of overturning the raft. Mr Ellis and the other man managed to reach the tree and convinced the two trapped men to jump into the raft. Eventually they made their way back safely to the riverbank. Sadly, no sign was found of the man taken by the crocodile.
By his actions, Mr Ellis displayed considerable bravery.
Mr Dale Christopher JOHNSON
On the morning of 17 March 2004, Mr Johnson rescued an elderly woman from a burning house at Karalee, Queensland.
Mr Johnson was in his backyard when he smelt burning plastic and saw grey smoke billowing from his neighbour's roof. Mr Johnson ran to the burning house to check on the elderly female occupant, and found another man there who was also concerned for the woman's safety. After forcing open a locked back door, Mr Johnson and the other man tried several times to enter the house but were driven back by thick black smoke. They also tried to encourage the woman to crawl to the door, but she replied that she was trapped. While the other man continued to attempt to find the woman from the rear of the house, Mr Johnson smashed a window at the front of the house, crawled into the house and located the woman sitting on her bed. He pulled her across to the window and lay down on the broken glass so that the other man could pull her out over his body without her being cut by the glass. The woman was carried a safe distance from the house to wait until the ambulance and fire services arrived. The house was completely destroyed by the fire.
By his actions, Mr Johnson displayed considerable bravery.
Mr Bradley Cecil WOLENS
On the morning of 17 March 2004, Mr Wolens helped rescue an elderly woman from a burning house at Karalee, Queensland.
Mr Wolens, who operates a mobile dog grooming business, had just arrived at a regular customer's address when he noticed a fire in progress at a neighbouring house. Mr Wolens ran to check on the elderly female he knew lived alone in the burning house, and heard an explosion as he tried unsuccessfully to open the front door. Mr Wolens moved to the back of the house, calling to the woman, and heard her call back that she was trapped and couldn't get out. He broke down a locked security door and removed sliding glass doors and, with another man, attempted several times to find the woman but was driven back by thick smoke. Eventually the other man entered the house through a smashed window and located the woman. He managed to get her across to the window and Mr Wolens pulled her out. Mr Wolens then carried the woman a safe distance from the house and administered first aid until the ambulance and fire service arrived. The house was completely destroyed by the fire.
By his actions, Mr Wolens displayed considerable bravery.
COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT
Mr Goldie Robert BAIRD
On the morning of 14 November 2004, Mr Baird went to the aid of a pilot whose crop-duster plane crashed in Laidley, Queensland.
Mr Baird was at home when a female friend informed him that a light aircraft had crashed nearby. Mr Baird went with her and another man to the scene of the accident to lend assistance. A local farmer soon joined them. The plane was upside down with liquid spilled on the ground, and a strong smell of chemicals and fuel. While waiting for an ambulance, the injured pilot became agitated about getting out of the plane. Although it was preferable the pilot not be moved, the rescuers feared that the plane would catch fire. With the assistance of the other rescuers, Mr Baird helped the pilot from the plane and moved him to safety.
By his actions, Mr Baird is commended for brave conduct.
Mr Adrian Nigel BLACK
On the morning of 15 June 2003, Mr Black rescued two people and attempted to rescue a third person trapped in a submerged vehicle at Palmview, Queensland.
Mr Black was travelling in a vehicle over a bridge with a friend when they noted a splash in the dam water below. Mr Black and his friend stopped their vehicle and ran back to the bridge to investigate. They saw the rear end of a car floating above the water. A woman surfaced and began screaming that her husband was trapped in the car. Mr Black immediately jumped from the bridge into the water, swam to the vehicle and ascertained from the woman that three people were still in the car. Despite poor visibility and icy conditions, Mr Black climbed into the car and managed to locate a female passenger. He pulled her to the surface. He then dived under the water and searched until he located the male driver. He resurfaced for breath then dived under the water again and pulled the man from the car to the surface. Mr Black continued searching for the other male passenger, but was unable to free him. Sadly, the male passenger did not survive the incident.
By his actions, Mr Black is commended for brave conduct.
Ms Julie May CASEY
On the afternoon of 28 February 2004, Ms Casey helped rescue a man from a burning vehicle at Berrinba, Queensland.
Ms Casey was driving to Jindalee when she stopped on the Logan Motorway to offer assistance after a three-vehicle collision. Ms Casey noticed a male driver slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle that that had black smoke billowing from its engine. She opened the driver's door and started to pull the driver out of the car. With the assistance of another person, Ms Casey moved the driver a safe distance away, then administered first aid to an injured woman who had been rescued from another vehicle, comforting her until ambulance officers were able to attend to her.
By her actions, Ms Casey is commended for brave conduct.
Detective Inspector Peter CRAWFORD
On the afternoon of 28 February 2004, Detective Crawford helped rescue a woman and child trapped in a burning vehicle at Berrinba, Queensland.
Detective Crawford, who was off duty, was driving on the Logan Motorway at the time of a three vehicle collision and went to assist. Despite the intensity of the heat and flames, he held open the door of a burning vehicle while another man pulled a woman and child from the wreckage. Detective Crawford then administered first aid to an injured man until he could be treated by paramedics. Tragically, the woman's other child died after being thrown from the car.
By his actions, Detective Crawford is commended for brave conduct.
Senior Constable Joshua James ELLIOTT
On the evening of 14 October 2001, Constable Elliott disarmed a man who was threatening police and others with a loaded spear gun at Cairns, Queensland.
Constable Elliott a member of the Queensland Police, was on duty when he and another officer were called to a domestic disturbance. After knocking on the door and identifying themselves as police officers, they entered the house and were confronted and threatened by a man armed with a loaded spear gun aimed at Senior Constable Elliott's chest. The police officers noticed a woman and child standing behind the offender and decided not to draw their firearms. As the offender again pointed the loaded spear gun at him, Senior Constable Elliott grabbed the weapon and, with his colleague's assistance, wrestled it away from the offender.
By his actions, Senior Constable Elliott is commended for brave conduct.
Ms Tanya Lorraine FALAGAN
On the morning of 14 November 2004, Ms Falagan went to the aid of a pilot whose crop-duster plane crashed in Laidley, Queensland.
Ms Falagan heard a light aircraft circling and then heard the engine stop. She ran outside and saw that the plane had crashed. She phoned two male friends for assistance, then called 000 while she and her friends ran to the crash site. A local farmer soon joined them. The plane was upside down with liquid spilled on the ground, and a strong smell of chemicals and fuel. While waiting for an ambulance, the injured pilot became agitated about getting out of the plane. Although it was preferable the pilot not be moved, the rescuers feared that the plane would catch fire. Ms Falagan assisted the three men to remove the pilot from the plane and move him to safety.
By her actions, Ms Falagan is commended for brave conduct.
Miss Samantha Allyce GURDON
On the afternoon of 10 July 2004, Miss Gurdon, then aged fifteen, went to the assistance of an injured girl at Crows Nest Falls, Queensland.
Miss Gurdon was a member of a group of sightseers in a national park when she heard that there was an injured girl trapped in a ravine near a deep waterhole. Although the girl was unknown to her, Miss Gurdon immediately shed her shoes and coat, dived into the icy water and swam approximately 70 metres across the waterhole to help the injured girl and a female friend who had remained with her. Miss Gurdon was able to comfort the injured girl and provide body heat as the three girls huddled together on a rock ledge to keep each other warm in the cold and wet conditions. Police, ambulance and emergency service personnel arrived at the waterhole, but it was considered unsafe for any rescuer to swim to the three girls due to the temperature of the water. Several hours later, rescue personnel used canoes to reach the girls and transport them to safety. Miss Gurdon was treated on site for mild hypothermia.
By her actions, Miss Gurdon is commended for brave conduct.
Ms Bridgette Michelle JACKSON
Early in the morning of 1 August 2004, Miss Jackson went to the assistance of a man who was being assaulted in the city centre of Brisbane, Queensland.
Miss Jackson was walking with her sister and two brothers when she saw a man being assaulted by a group of men. The offenders were kicking the man in the head and body while he lay on the ground. Miss Jackson's brothers went to the man's aid, and attempted to calm the situation. However, one of Miss Jackson's brothers was knocked unconscious and the other was punched several times. Miss Jackson went to the assistance of the latter and pulled one of the offenders away from him. Eventually the group of offenders backed away.
By her actions, Miss Jackson is commended for brave conduct.
Ms Elizabeth Nicole JACKSON
Early in the morning of 1 August 2004, Miss Jackson went to the assistance of a man who was being assaulted in the city centre of Brisbane, Queensland.
Miss Jackson was walking with her sister and two brothers when she saw a man being assaulted by a group of men. The offenders were kicking the man in the head and body while he lay on the ground. Miss Jackson's brothers went to the man's aid, and attempted to calm the situation by talking to the group. However, one of her brothers was knocked unconscious and the other was punched several times. Miss Jackson went to her brother's assistance and pulled one of the offenders away from him. Eventually the group of offenders backed away.
By her actions, Miss Jackson is commended for brave conduct.
Mr John Patrick JACKSON
Early in the morning of 1 August 2004, Mr Jackson went to the assistance of a man who was being assaulted in the city centre of Brisbane, Queensland.
Mr Jackson was walking with his brother and two sisters when he saw a man being assaulted by a group of men. The offenders were kicking the man in the head and body while he lay on the ground. Mr Jackson, with his brother's assistance, tried to persuade the offenders to leave the man alone. They thought they had succeeded in calming the situation; however, Mr Jackson's brother was then knocked unconscious and fell to the ground. As he went to his brother's aid, Mr Jackson was punched several times. Mr Jackson's sisters aided the brothers and eventually they were successful in getting the offenders to back away.
By his actions, Mr Jackson is commended for brave conduct.
Dr Peter Edward JACKSON
Early in the morning of 1 August 2004, Dr Jackson went to the assistance of a man who was being assaulted in the city centre of Brisbane, Queensland.
Dr Jackson was walking with his brother and two sisters when he saw a man being assaulted by a group of men. The offenders were kicking the man in the head and body while he lay on the ground. Dr Jackson stood between the victim and the group and, with his brother's assistance, tried to persuade the offenders to leave the man alone. They thought they had succeeded in calming the situation; however, Dr Jackson was then knocked unconscious and fell to the ground. His brother and sisters went to his aid and eventually they succeeded in getting the group of offenders to back away. Dr Jackson was taken to hospital and treated for his injuries.
By his actions, Dr Jackson is commended for brave conduct.
Mr Ian Roland JOHNSTON
On the afternoon of 15 September 2004, Mr Johnston foiled an attempted armed robbery at a bank in Paradise Point, Queensland.
Mr Johnston was working as manager of the bank when he heard breaking glass and went to investigate. Mr Johnston saw a man enter feet first through a broken window and another man standing outside. Both men were carrying crowbars. The man inside the room raised his crowbar to threaten Mr Johnston, and a struggle ensued as he tried to remove it from the offender's grasp. A customer came to assist and forced the offender back with a chair. While still threatening Mr Johnston, the offender climbed back out through the window. Mr Johnston closed the bank and shortly afterwards police officers arrived.
By his actions, Mr Johnston is commended for brave conduct.
Mr Paul Jason LEGGETT
On the evening of 10 June 2004, Mr Leggett attempted to rescue a baby from a burning vehicle at Springfield, Queensland.
Mr Leggett was travelling in a car when he was stopped in a line of traffic and noticed a car on fire on the road ahead. After being informed that there was a baby trapped in the rear of the burning vehicle, Mr Leggett ran toward the car and threw a brick through the front passenger window. He opened the door and leaned inside but was driven back by the intense heat. Sadly, the baby died in the incident.
By his actions, Mr Leggett is commended for brave conduct.
Mr Mik James MATTHEWS
On the morning of 14 November 2004, Mr Matthews went to the aid of a pilot whose crop-duster plane crashed in Laidley, Queensland.
Mr Matthews was telephoned by a female friend to inform him that a light aircraft had crashed nearby. He went with her, and another male friend, to the scene of the accident to lend assistance. A local farmer soon joined them. The plane was upside down with liquid spilled on the ground, and a strong smell of chemicals and fuel. While waiting for the ambulance, the injured pilot became agitated about getting out of the plane. Although it was preferable the pilot not be moved, the rescuers feared that the plane would catch fire. Mr Matthews assisted the three other people to remove the pilot from the plane and move him to safety.
By his actions, Mr Matthews is commended for brave conduct.
Miss Norita Gladys NOMOA
Miss Nomoa, then aged ten, swam to seek help and became stranded for six days after her family's boat capsized in Torres Strait, Queensland on the afternoon of 6 July 2004.
Miss Nomoa was in a dinghy with her parents, two brothers and elder sister when the boat capsized between Badu Island and Thursday Island and the family was washed into the sea. Miss Nomoa, her sister and one of her brothers swam to get help and managed to reach a small rocky outcrop approximately 400 metres away. The children survived there for three days by eating oysters. At this stage they made a decision to again swim for help in the hope that they and their family would be rescued. They swam some six kilometres to Matu Island, where they survived by eating native fruits and drinking coconut milk. After three more days the children were rescued by their uncle. Tragically, the other occupants of the dinghy were never found.
By her actions, Miss Nomoa is commended for brave conduct.
Miss Ellis NONA
Miss Nona, then aged fifteen, swam to seek help and became stranded for six days after her family's boat capsized in Torres Strait, Queensland on the afternoon of 6 July 2004.
Miss Nona was in a dinghy with her parents, two brothers and younger sister when the boat capsized between Badu Island and Thursday Island and the family was washed into the sea. Miss Nona, her sister and one of her brothers swam to get help and managed to reach a small rocky outcrop approximately 400 metres away. The children survived there for three days by eating oysters. At this stage they made a decision to again swim for help in the hope that they and their family would be rescued. They swam some six kilometres to Matu Island, where they survived by eating native fruits and drinking coconut milk. After three more days the children were rescued by their uncle. Tragically, the other occupants of the dinghy were never found.
By her actions, Miss Nona is commended for brave conduct.
Master Phil Stephen NONA
Master Nona, then aged eleven, assisted two members of his family to swim to seek help and to survive being stranded for six days after his family's boat capsized in Torres Strait, Queensland on the afternoon of 6 July 2004.
Master Nona was in a dinghy with his parents, two sisters and younger brother when the boat capsized between Badu Island and Thursday Island and the family was washed into the sea. Master Nona encouraged his sisters to swim with him to seek help and managed to reach a small rocky outcrop approximately 400 metres away. The children survived there for three days by eating oysters. At this stage they made a decision to again swim for help in the hope that they and their family would be rescued. They then swam some six kilometres to Matu Island. When the girls were tired, Master Nona told them to hang onto him so that he could tow them on his back, or he pushed them along. The children survived on Matu Island by eating native fruits and drinking coconut milk, and Master Nona continued to reassure his sisters that they would be saved. After three more days the children were rescued by their uncle. Tragically the other occupants of the dinghy were never found.
By his actions, Master Nona is commended for brave conduct.
Ms Joyce Karen PHILIPS
On the afternoon of 21 September 2004, Ms Phillips attempted to intercept a robber at a bakery in Ashgrove, Queensland.
Ms Philips was at a bakery when a male offender entered and removed the cash register from the counter. Without hesitation, Ms Philips attempted to wrestle the cash register from the offender and was dragged along as she attempted to retrieve it. The offender then forcefully shook the register to loosen Ms Philips' grip and pushed her away with his arms. Ms Philips continued to attempt recovery of the register as the struggle continued out on the street. After finally shaking the register free from Ms Philip's grip, the offender threw it into a nearby vehicle and drove away. Ms Philips noted the vehicle registration and provided a detailed description of the offender to the police, who later arrested the man. Ms Philips sustained cuts and grazing to her left hand during her struggle with the offender.
By her actions, Ms Philips is commended for brave conduct.
Miss Tennille SPIERENBURG
On the afternoon of 10 July 2004, Miss Spierenburg, then aged fifteen, went to the assistance of an injured girl after a rock climbing accident at Crows Nest Falls, Queensland.
Miss Spierenburg was climbing on a steep rock face around a waterhole with two female friends when one of the girls slipped falling approximately 65 metres into a ravine, sustaining multiple injuries. Ms Spierenburg climbed around the rock face until she reached her injured friend, comforted her and tried to keep her warm. While the other friend ran to raise the alarm, another girl joined Miss Spierenburg and her injured friend, and the three girls huddled together on a rock ledge to keep each other warm in the cold and wet conditions. Police, ambulance and emergency service personnel arrived at the waterhole, but it was considered too unsafe for any rescuer to swim to the three girls due to the icy temperature of the water. Several hours later, rescue personnel used canoes to reach the girls and transport them to safety. Miss Spierenburg was treated on site for mild hypothermia.
By her actions, Miss Spierenburg is commended for brave conduct.
Mr Russell Neil WELK
On the morning of 14 November 2004, Mr Welk went to the aid of a pilot after his crop-duster plane crashed in Laidley, Queensland.
Mr Welk was at home when he heard a light aircraft circling and then heard the engine stop. He drove as far as he could into the paddock where the plane had crashed and then ran towards the wreckage to find three other people already there providing assistance. The plane was upside down with liquid spilled on the ground, and a strong smell of chemicals and fuel. While waiting for an ambulance the pilot became agitated about getting out of the plane. Although it was preferable the pilot not be moved, the rescuers feared that the plane would catch fire. With the assistance of the other rescuers, Mr Welk helped the pilot from the plane and moved him to safety.
By his actions, Mr Welk is commended for brave conduct.
GROUP BRAVERY CITATION
Mr Ryan John Mitchell DAVIS
On the morning of 3 April 2003, a group of students tackled and restrained an armed offender after a crossbow attack on a fellow student at Tomaree High School, Salamander, New South Wales.
A male student from Tomaree High School entered the school grounds armed with a range of weapons. As the offender approached a group of students, he produced an armed crossbow, took aim at a female student, and fired a single shot, which passed through her back and out through her upper chest. The arrow continued in motion through the legs of another female student. Four students immediately went to assist and comfort the two victims. The offender was then seen to put the crossbow down and light a Molotov cocktail, which he threw at the group. The device failed to explode; however it smashed against a wall, covering one of the victims and two other female students in fuel. The offender then tried to ignite a second device, but two students rushed him and, assisted by other students, helped wrestle the offender to the ground and restrained him until a teacher could take hold of him and lead him away. Several of the students continued to comfort the two victims until ambulance officers arrived.
Station Officer Leigh Stewart CAMPBELL
Mr William George GORDON-BROWN
Mr Ian David OGBORNE
Mr William John OVEY
Senior Firefighter Colin James SIMS
On the evening of 19 September 1996, members of the Queensland Fire Service attempted to rescue a small child who had fallen from a ferry terminal into the Brisbane River at St Lucia, Queensland.
When the group responded to the call, visibility above water was already very limited due to darkness, and visibility below water was almost non-existent. The strength of the current and depth of the water also made searching very difficult. Mr Ovey and Mr Campbell entered the water without breathing apparatus but were unsuccessful in their search and left the water. The members of the group subsequently donned breathing apparatus and searched the water for some forty-five minutes, despite having no protective clothing and having had no training or experience in using breathing apparatus underwater. When the search was finally abandoned, the men required medical assistance for exposure. Sadly, the child drowned in the incident.
Brigadier Ian Ross ERRINGTON CSC
On the morning of 9 September 2004 a bomb exploded some four metres from the front gates of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, killing eleven people and causing considerable damage to the Embassy and its grounds.
In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, when it was widely believed that there was still the possibility of further explosions and when the extent of damage to the building was unknown, a number of Embassy personnel, both Australian citizens on posting and locally engaged staff, put aside concerns for their own safety and acted to ensure the safety of others and to secure the site against further attack. Some who were on-site went immediately to the front of the Embassy compound and stayed there to help the injured. Others who were off-site made a deliberate decision to go from a place of safety to the Embassy compound to provide assistance, and others stayed inside the potentially unstable building to evacuate others before themselves.
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