The Governor has acknowledged the courage and selfless sacrifice of the 22 Queenslanders named in the March 2024 Australian Bravery Decorations announced by the Governor-General this evening.

“People who commit brave acts do not always seek public recognition,” Her Excellency said. “It is an acknowledgement of those qualities we most respect as a nation – the qualities of courage, altruism, and of putting others before self.”

The Governor congratulates the following recipients and commends them on their brave actions:

Bravery Medal (BM)

 Mr John Edward McGann, QLD

Mr John McGann displayed considerable bravery by his actions rescuing people from a burning house in Highgate Hill, Queensland on 20 August 2022.

Commendation for Brave Conduct (CBC)

Mr Lachlan Mitchell Ashlin, Cooroy QLD

Mr Lachlan Ashlin is commended for brave conduct for his actions following a house explosion in Cooroy, Queensland on 11 March 2021.

Mr William James Farley, Kallangur QLD  

Mr William Farley is commended for brave conduct for his actions during a dingo attack on K’gari, Queensland on 3 April 2023 

Mr Shane William Fowler, Burrum Heads QLD

Mr Shane Fowler is commended for brave conduct for his actions assisting a neighbour from a house fire in Burrum Heads, Queensland on 3 August 2021.

 Mr John Mount Gee, Gailes QLD

Mr John Gee is commended for brave conduct for his actions retrieving a young girl from the Brisbane River in Queensland on 17 April 2021.

Mr John Matthew Gordon, Elanora QLD

Mr John Gordon is commended for brave conduct for his actions rescuing a swimmer caught in rough seas at Dreamtime Beach in Fingal Head, New South Wales on 12 April 2023.

Mr Danny James Haber, Stockleigh QLD 

Mr Danny Haber is commended for brave conduct for his actions after two rafts collided on a water ride at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, Queensland on 25 October 2016.

Mr Dylan John Lazzaroni, QLD

Mr Dylan Lazzaroni is commended for brave conduct for his actions rescuing a person who had fallen from a waterfall in Mareeba, Queensland on 6 March 2021.

Mr Donald Garry Ogden, Blackwater QLD

Mr Donald Ogden is commended for brave conduct for his actions after a front-end loader caught fire in Queensland on 28 January 2018.

Queensland Police Service Constable Adam Thomas See  

Constable Adam See is commended for brave conduct for his actions rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle in Mount Stuart, Queensland on 16 March 2021.

Mr John Danial Stewart, QLD

Mr John Stewart is commended for brave conduct for his actions rescuing a trapped driver from floodwaters in St George, Queensland on 22 February 2020.

Mr Dylan Taylor, Dalby QLD

Mr Dylan Taylor is commended for brave conduct for his actions rescuing an unconscious person from a submerged vehicle in Dalby, Queensland on 4 April 2022.

Queensland Police Service Senior Constable Anthony William Poole

Senior Constable Anthony Poole is commended for brave conduct for his actions rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle in Mount Stuart, Queensland on 16 March 2021.

Group Bravery Citation

Mr Danny James Haber, Stockleigh QLD

The recipient is recognised with the award of the Group Bravery Citation for his actions after two rafts collided on a water ride at a theme park on the Gold Coast, Queensland on 25 October 2016.

Mr Michael Anthony Swan, Eimeo QLD

The recipient is recognised with the award of the Group Bravery Citation for his actions intercepting an armed attacker in Garran, Australian Capital Territory on 23 March 2019.

Mr Michael Beusch

Mr Brenden Thomas Halloran, QLD

Mr Ivan Laurence Horne

Mr Ashley Jensen, Biloela QLD 4715

Mr Wayne Marxson, Biloela QLD 4715

Mr Darren Morris, QLD

Mr Donald Garry Ogden, Blackwater QLD 4717

Mr Lance Philips

Mr Steve Rizzini

The recipients are recognised with the award of the Group Bravery Citation for their actions after a front-end loader caught fire in Queensland on 28 January 2018.

Australian Bravery Decorations recognise acts of bravery where people selflessly put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives or property of others.

Two Australian Bravery lists are announced every year. The independent Australian Bravery Decorations Council makes recommendations to the Governor-General regarding who should be recognised and at what level of award.

More information about Australian Bravery Decorations is available at www.gg.gov.au.