Bravery Awards take Port Hedland

On Wednesday November 8, Royal Life Saving WA hosted a regional Bravery Awards ceremony in Port Hedland for those who weren't able to attend the ceremony in Perth in early October.

Six deserving recipients were presented with awards for their lifesaving efforts, honoured for utilising rescue and resuscitation skills and putting others’ lives ahead of their own. In attendance at the ceremony were Town of Port Hedland Mayor Peter Carter and several VIP guests from BHP.

Acknowledging these recipients gives us hope as we head into the peak aquatic season, which brings with it increased drowning risk and greater concern.

Royal Life Saving’s Lauren Nimmo, Senior Manager - Research, Media and Communications, stated that ''in the 20-year period between 2002 to 2022, 30 per cent of childhood drownings occurring in children under five were during the summertime.''

However, despite this alarming statistic, the 2023 National Drowning Report showed fatal drownings across the board are declining and it is with the help of good Samaritans like those honoured through the Bravery Awards that this is possible.

“These individuals are an excellent example to all Western Australians,” says Peter Leaversuch, Royal Life Saving WA CEO.

“More than 10 million visits are made to WA’s public swimming pools each year and the vast majority of these are uneventful. When emergencies happen, however, we have a well-trained workforce ready to spring into action, in many cases saving a life.

“The recognition of these individuals sends the strongest possible message to the Western Australian public about the importance of gaining lifesaving, rescue and first aid skills. They’ve all applied their skills and training to save another’s life, showing bravery and commitment in doing so, and deserve our highest recognition.”

This year's regional award recipients included:

Julian Olivier (Gold Star Bravery Award): While on duty at South Hedland Aquatic Centre, Julian was faced with a critical situation that demanded his swift response. A swimmer who had been leisurely performing laps with a snorkel, entered a state of panic when water had inadvertently entered his snorkel. The swimmer tried to regain composure in search of the pool’s floor but was unable to make contact which further distressed the man, and he began to drown.

Without hesitation, Julian sprang into action by entering the water, managing to retrieve the man and tow him to safety where he assessed the swimmer’s condition with co-worker Darcy while they awaited additional assistance. Their combined efforts and steadfast commitment to the swimmer's well-being proved instrumental, as the individual made a full recovery, undoubtedly owed to Julian and Darcy's extraordinary response to this critical incident.

Bethany Denney (Gold Star Bravery Award): A 3-year-old boy unexpectedly experienced a seizure while at South Hedland Aquatic Centre. Bethany was the first to notice the child's fall and immediately sprang into action to initiate the necessary emergency responses. Recognising the gravity of the situation, she approached the boy and provided invaluable assistance to his mother, offering the support and reassurance needed in such a distressing moment. With great care and composure, Bethany facilitated the relocation of the child to a shaded section of grass, ensuring his safety and comfort.

Bethany's thorough and professional approach extended to checking the boy's airways, ensuring his well-being during this critical period. Additionally, Bethany played a pivotal role in maintaining open communication during the crisis. She relayed crucial information via radio to her team members, who were responsible for making the emergency 000 call. Her quick thinking and effective communication were instrumental in expediting the response to the emergency. The culmination of Bethany's exceptional skills and her compassionate response to this challenging situation resulted in the successful management of the young boy's condition.

Aman Banfal, Stelian Georgiev, Hayley Marlow and Jessica Easey (Gold Medallion Bravery Award): This exceptional team from Gratwick Aquatic Centre in Port Hedland showcased their collective efforts when a mother accidentally locked her young child inside her car, presenting a dire situation that demanded quick thinking and immediate action. From the moment they arrived on the scene, Arman, Stelian, Hayley and Jessica offered much-needed comfort and support to the mother in distress. While attending to her, they also extended their care to the second child, ensuring that no one was left unattended during this harrowing ordeal. In addition to their assistance, they were also diligent in alerting emergency services, recognizing the urgency of the situation. Their prompt communication ensured that the necessary help was on its way to provide further aid.

However, when it became apparent that the child's condition was deteriorating and that time was of the essence, the team took decisive action. They executed a forceful entry into the locked car, ensuring that the child was freed from the confined space. This act of bravery was instrumental in preventing further harm to the child. Once the child was safely removed from the car, the team continued their care, promptly relocating the child to a more suitable environment, the gym, where air conditioning was readily available. Oxygen was administered to the child, sustaining the child’s well-being until paramedics arrived on the scene to provide further assistance. Thanks to the exceptional efforts of Arman, Stelian, Hayley and Jessica, the child made a full recovery.

If you know someone who has saved, or attempted to save, someone's life you can nominate them for next year's Bravery Awards by following the link below.