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Everyday heroes honoured at 2017 Royal Life Saving Bravery Awards

Staff WriterEastern Reporter

MORE: Nine-year-old boy honoured for heroic rescue

THIRTY-ONE heroic individuals will be honoured today at the 2017 Royal Life Saving Bravery Awards.

The people will be recognised for their bravery at a ceremony hosted at the Government House Ballroom, attending by WA Governor Her Excellency The Honourable Kerry Sanderson AO.

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The Royal Life Saving Society WA accepts nominations for the Bravery Awards throughout the year, to identify and reward people in our community who have taken extraordinary actions to save another person’s life.

Royal Life Saving Society WA’s Chief Executive Officer Peter Leaversuch says each award recipient displayed exceptional courage, empathy and initiative by applying lifesaving skills in emergency situations and sometimes at risk to themselves.

“The bravery and commitment of these individuals in saving lives is an excellent example to all Western Australians and deserves our highest recognition. It sends the strongest message possible about the importance of obtaining lifesaving skills,” he said.

“As we approach another summer I encourage everyone to think about how they might, in their own way, make a contribution to drowning prevention, and saving lives.

“It may be to improve your own skills in CPR, first aid or rescue, to raise awareness amongst your family, friends or workplace, or to help someone in need.

“Everyone can be a lifesaver.”

Full list of award winners:

Gold medallion – Joel Keeble of Mandurah area

In February at the Mandurah Aquatic Centre, Joel – aged 14 – rescue his friend Ben who hit his head of the pool floor, fracturing two vertebrae, during swim training.

Gold medallion – Stanley McFarlane of Nedlands

In Ferbruary at Christ Church Grammar School Stanley – aged 15 – performed CPR on a woman who he discovered unconscious outside his school, saving her life.

Gold medallion – Molly Coldwell of Joondalup area

In December 2016, Molly performed CPR on café patron, Jim, who collapsed while she was working at Over Bored Café in Hillarys, saving his life.

Gold star – Taylia Ryan of Collie

In December 2016, Taylia – aged 14 – Taylia paddled out to rescue a 12 year old girl who was in trouble in the Wellington Dam.

Gold star – Sandra Reardon of Morowa

In March 2017 Sandra rescued a 16-year-old from the public swimming pool at Morowa during a swimming carnival.

Gold medallion – Thomas and Samuel Hicks of Christmas Island

In December 2016, Thomas and Samuel were diving off Christmas Island when they came across another diver who was face down and unconscious in the water. They swam him 100 metres back to shore and called emergency services to assist.

Gold star – Finnley Regler of Peel region

In April 2017, Finnley – aged 6 – rescued his three-year-old brother Israel, who had fallen into their grandparent’s pool.

Bravery commendation – Owen Pomfrett

In November 2016 Owen – aged 11 – rescued three-year-old Dante, who got out of his depth at Sandy Beach Reserve Bassendean.

Gold star – Corey Hollow & David Trotter

In May 2017 at HBF Stadium in Mt Claremont,  lifeguards Corey and David performed CPR on a patron during a fitness class at HBF Stadium. The patron has collapsed after suffering a heart attack. Corey and David saved his life.

Bravery commendation – Tyler Guelfi of Midvale

In January 2017 in Tapping, Tyler – aged 9 – rescued an adult family friend who’d found herself out of her depth and struggling to stay above water in the family pool.

Gold star – Sarah Fuller of Chidlow, Anthony Dos Santos of Noranda and Matthew Merritt of Carine

In October 2016, at Altone Park lifeguards Sarah, Anthony and Matthew rescued and performed CPR on a five-year-old girl who was found unresponsive and not breathing during a disco event.The girl made a full recovery.

Gold star – Jade Macdonald of Edgewater and Bec Johnston of Woodvale, Mike Tindale, Bob Edwards, Matt Williams and David Davies of Joondalup area

In March 2017 at Craigie Leisure Centre lifeguards Jade and Bec, along with Swim Coach Matt and patrons Mike, Bob and David rescued and performed CPR on Phil Prosser, whose heart stopped beating while he was swimming at Craigie Leisure Centre. This team effort saved his life.

Gold medallion – Jesse Liddon of South Fremantle, Sam Liddon of the South-West and Jack Cox

In April 2017 near the Abrolhos Islands,Jesse, Sam and Jack rescued the crew of a boat which had overturned in large swells. The crew had spent two hours in the water in five-metre swells and required medical treatment.

Gold star – Max Goldsmith of Bridgetown

In April 2017 in Margaret River, Max performed first aid on his Grandfather, who suffered an anaphylactic reaction from two bee stings. Max maintained his grandfather’s airway and followed paramedics’ instructions while emergency services made their way to the scene.

Gold star – James Annetts, Parris Laurie, Andrea Thackray and Tia Stonehill of the Fremantle area

In August 2017 at Fremantle Leisure Centre, lifeguards James, Parris, Andrea and Tia rescued a 71-year-old patron from the pool. The patron had suffered a serious stroke. The lifeguards performed CPR and called paramedics, saving the man’s life.

Gold star – Jen Bannerman of Wagin

In April 2017 in Hawaii Jen, a pool manager from Wagin, rescued a family while on holiday. The family became stranded after crossing a river, when the river level rose and prevented them from returning. Jen spent almost an hour carrying the children across the river in difficult conditions, before assisting the mother.

Bravery commendation – Colleen Clark of Warnbro

In July 2016, Colleen suffered serious burns after rescuing her husband, who had accidentally set himself alight while lighting the fire in the lounge room of their home.