Everyday Australians have been honoured for bravery in the face of danger, terror attacks and for heroic rescues at sea and burning buildings.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
Brisbane man John McGann broke down the front door of a burning house to rescue two elderly residents in 2022 and is one of eight people awarded the Bravery Medal by Governor-General David Hurley.
Kylie Fowler tried to save an unconscious driver from a burning car in Victoria's south west and Laines Nema and Sergeant Nicholas Park held two people afloat in rough waters after they were swept off rocks near Port Kembla, NSW in 2021.
They are among 91 people recognised for choosing to help someone when confronted by danger, Mr Hurley said.
"Often their actions were at a cost to themselves," he said.
"For the loved ones of those no longer with us - it is my hope that the posthumous acknowledgement of their bravery brings some comfort.
"Their stories will not be forgotten."
Bourke Street stabbing attack
Two people have been honoured with a bravery medal for their efforts during the November 2018 Bourke Street stabbing terror attack that killed beloved Melbourne cafe owner Sisto Malaspina.
Hassan Khalif Shire Ali blew up his ute in Melbourne's CBD on a Friday afternoon and stabbed three people, one fatally, before he was shot dead by police.
Bystander Jeferey Reid-Payne saw Shire Ali with the knife and ran towards him.
He tried to distract him from attacking police officers on the scene before picking up a chair and attempting to hit him with it.
Mr Reid-Payne stayed nearby as police Tasered Shire Ali, holding the chair to use in case he got back up, before going to the assistance of the stabbing victims.
Meanwhile Lei Zhang was in a nearby restaurant and nearly ran away from the commotion but turned around when she saw an injured man collapse in the street.
Mrs Zhang and other bystanders rushed to render him first aid, while Shire Ali was still on the scene about 20 metres away, but he died at the scene.
Dreamworld ride tragedy
ACT man Luke Dorsett was on the Thunder River Rapids Ride at Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld in October 2016 when two rafts collided.
As the raft he was in upturned Mr Dorsett put his arm out to prevent his niece from falling out.
He sadly fell from the raft himself and died at the scene alongside his sister Kate Goodchild, his partner Roozi Araghi and Sydney mother Cindy Low.
Mr Dorsett has been posthumously commended for brave conduct.
Bystander Danny Haber also received a commendation for brave conduct and a group bravery citation with Thomas Hanson and Joedy Vincent.
Mr Haber was waiting in line for the ride when he heard a loud noise followed by screams.
He jumped over the ride's safety barrier, picked up a screaming child and brought her back behind the barrier, passing her to a bystander before returning to try to help a man trapped under the raft.
He saw a boy calling out for his mother and carried him away from the scene before returning again and pulling a woman out of the water with the help of others and rendering first aid.
