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27th Governor of Queensland Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM

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Queenslanders named in Wattle Day bravery awards

Queenslanders are among those recognised in the Australian Bravery Decorations Wattle Day 2026 Honours List, which recognises people who have displayed courage and selflessness in situations of danger and adversity.

Government House was illuminated in green and gold on Monday, 31 August, to mark National Wattle Day and recognise the courage of Australians honoured through the Australian Bravery Decorations, which recognise Australians whose actions in extraordinary circumstances demonstrate courage, determination and a commitment to the wellbeing of others. 

This year's Queensland recipients have been recognised for acts of bravery that placed them in the path of significant risk to protect others. Their actions include rescuing people trapped on railway tracks, pulling victims from burning and submerged vehicles, and attempting rescues during house fires. Others confronted armed offenders, helped apprehend a man armed with a knife in a Sydney street, or served in hazardous operational circumstances overseas.

In many instances, recipients acted without hesitation in life-threatening situations, placing the safety and wellbeing of others ahead of their own. Their actions reflect the courage, selflessness and sense of responsibility that underpin the Australian Bravery Decorations and serve as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary contributions ordinary Australians can make in moments of crisis.

The honours awarded to Queenslanders this year include the Bravery Medal, Commendation for Brave Conduct and Group Bravery Citation, recognising both individual and collective acts of courage.

Many of the Queensland recipients will receive their decorations from the Governor at Investiture Ceremonies held at Government House in 2027.

 

Award

Name

Citation
Bravery Medal (BM) Mr Stephen Shane Edwards Mr Stephen Edwards displayed considerable bravery by his actions during the rescue of a woman on railway tracks in Kingston, Queensland on 31 August 2000.
Bravery Medal (BM) Mr Luke Aidan Giudicatti Mr Luke Giudicatti displayed considerable bravery by his actions during the rescue of a woman in Cairns, Queensland on 23 November 2019.
Bravery Medal (BM) Ms Gabrielle Rebecca Kelly Ms Gabrielle Kelly displayed considerable bravery by her actions during a violent attack in Ipswich, Queensland on 10 November 2018.
Commendation for Brave Conduct Mr Cameron Jack ONeill Mr Cameron ONeill is commended for brave conduct for his actions during a stabbing in Coomera, Queensland on 28 May 2022.
Group Bravery Citation Mr Mitchell John Bennetts The recipients are recognised with the award of the Group Bravery Citation for their actions in intervening and apprehending a man armed with a knife in Sydney, NSW on 13 August 2019.
Commendation for Brave Conduct Mr Robert John Copley Mr Robert John Copley is commended for brave conduct for his actions during the rescue of a person from a burning vehicle in Woongarra, Queensland on 21 April 2022.
Commendation for Brave Conduct Mr Giuseppe Falabella Mr Giuseppe Falabella is commended for brave conduct for his actions during the rescue of a person from a burning vehicle in Woongarra, Queensland on 21 April 2022.
Commendation for Brave Conduct Mr Ben Matthew Kettle Mr Ben Matthew Kettle is commended for brave conduct for his actions during the rescue of a driver from a burning vehicle in Moresby, Queensland on 20 August 2022.
Commendation for Brave Conduct Mr Lachlan James Mitchell Mr Lachlan James Mitchell is commended for brave conduct for his actions preventing a potential suicide attempt in Morningside, Queensland on 13 September 2019.
Commendation for Brave Conduct Mr Ronin Montell Rio Mr Ronin Rio is commended for brave conduct for his actions during a stabbing in Coomera, Queensland on 28 May 2022.
Commendation for Brave Conduct Mr Kalam Waller Mr Kalam Waller is commended for brave conduct for his actions during the attempted rescue of a man from a house fire in Lowood, Queensland on 11 June 2021.
Commendation for Brave Conduct Mr James Hermiston Mr James Hermiston is commended for brave conduct for his actions in intercepting an armed offender in Indooroopilly, Queensland on 5 July 1999.
Group Bravery Citation Brigadier John Loughlin Gould DSC CSC Members of the Australian Defence Force are recognised with the award of the Group Bravery Citation for serving with UNAMET in East Timor in 1999.
Group Bravery Citation Brigadier Justin Matthew Roocke Members of the Australian Defence Force are recognised with the award of the Group Bravery Citation for serving with UNAMET in East Timor in 1999.
Group Bravery Citation Lieutenant Colonel John George Sholl BM Members of the Australian Defence Force are recognised with the award of the Group Bravery Citation for serving with UNAMET in East Timor in 1999.
Group Bravery Citation Mrs Louise Dewar The recipients are recognised with the award of the Group Bravery Citation for their actions in intercepting an armed offender in Indooroopilly, Queensland on 5 July 1999.
Group Bravery Citation The late Mr Frank Donald Putland The recipients are recognised with the award of the Group Bravery Citation for their actions in intercepting an armed offender in Indooroopilly, Queensland on 5 July 1999.
Group Bravery Citation Dr Rodney Wayne Appleby The recipients are recognised with the award of the Group Bravery Citation for their actions rescuing people from a submerged vehicle in Wyaralong Dam, Wyaralong, Queensland on 22 November 2020.
Group Bravery Citation Mr Lawson Andrew Heath The recipients are recognised with the award of the Group Bravery Citation for their actions rescuing people from a submerged vehicle in Wyaralong Dam, Wyaralong, Queensland on 22 November 2020.