PERTH police officer Stephanie Bochorsky has received one of Australia’s highest bravery honours for saving two children who had been set on fire in Doubleview.
Senior Constable Bochorsky has been honoured with the Star of Courage in the Australian Bravery Awards for displaying conspicuous courage in the August 2015 event.
She was off-duty at her Doubleview home when she heard a neighbour screaming for help and entered the unit to find a toddler alight and the father armed with a lighter and pouring petrol over a second child.
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READ NOWSnr Const Bochorsky grabbed both children and took them to her home, where she administered first aid.
In 2017 Edward John Herbert was sentenced to 17 years in jail for the attempted murder of his two daughters.
Snr Const Bochorsky is among 101 Australians to be awarded Australian Bravery Decorations from the Governor-General, the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove.
The awards recognise Australians who, without thought of personal risk, displayed courage and bravery to protect or defend others.
“The Australian Honours System provides a wonderful mechanism through which we as a nation can recognise and celebrate ordinary people who do extraordinary things,” the Governor-General said.
“These awards honour those who, without pause, put themselves at personal risk to protect others. They are outstanding and deserve our nation’s gratitude.”
WA doctor pulled woman from burning car
CHURCHLANDS scientist Craig Lawrence was honoured with an Australian Bravery Medal for pulling a woman from her burning car in June 2017.
He had been returning to Perth from Pemberton when he saw a car that had collided with a tree, previously telling Community News he found the driver slumped over the airbag. “She was trapped in there and by that stage there was flames coming over the bonnet,” he said.
Despite the flames and warnings from onlookers, Dr Lawrence pulled the woman from the car and tended to her injuries until emergency services arrived.
He received a commendation for brave conduct for his actions, which follows a St John Ambulance Community Hero award in February 2018 that he described as “terribly embarrassing”.
Brave teen rescued friends caught in rip
AN Alkimos teenager’s rescue of his two friends has earned him a bravery medal.
The trio got caught in a strong rip while swimming at Scarborough Beach in September 2016, with only Ulrich Snell making it to shore.
Mr Snell swam back out in the current and helped one friend to safety then returned to try to rescue his other friend, who had been carried further out.
His friend was face down in the water and unconscious so he managed to turn him over and pumped his stomach.
A surfer came to Mr Snell’s aid and helped both boys to the shore.
Mr Snell began CPR on his friend and despite being unresponsive for several minutes, the boy was later taken to hospital and made a full recovery.
WA man honoured for rip rescue
HENLEY Brook resident Michael Bain has been commended for his bravery after rescuing a man from a rip at Eagles Nest near Denmark.
On the afternoon of April 6, 2008, Mr Bain saw a young man snorkelling at Eagles Nest beach and realised he had been caught in a rip.
As the snorkeler was pulled more than 100m from shore, he initially remained calm.
However, as the speed with which he was being dragged out to sea increased and the undertow began to pull him under water, he started to frantically signal for help.
Mr Bain immediately ran to get a boogie board and flippers from his car. He made his way out to the swimmer, who was fast tiring and beginning to sink below the surface of the water.
On reaching the young man, he was able to grab hold of his arm and with difficulty, lift him up on to the boogie board.
Mr Bain then began kicking towards the beach and after about 15 minutes of battling the heavy sea conditions, they reached the safety of the shore.
For his actions, Mr Bain is commended for brave conduct.
‘Oustanding Australians’ a source of courage
The Australian Bravery Decorations are part of the Australian Honours System and recognise acts of bravery in other than warlike situations, by people who put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives or property of others.
Nominations are considered by the Australian Bravery Decorations Council, which is an independent advisory body that meets twice a year to consider nominations and make recommendations to the Governor-General for awards.
To nominate someone for an award, click here.