| Name |
Brief Overview |
Award |
Location |
Jacob Maughmer
|
Five-year-old Jacob saved his younger brother Daniel’s life on Christmas Day last year. The children were eager to get back in the pool after lunch and had entered the pool area unnoticed. Daniel, who was just two, jumped straight into the pool without his life vest. Jacob, who had noticed Daniel in distress in the water, immediately swam to him and brought him safely to the edge. Although frightened and having taken in some water, Daniel was unharmed.
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Gold Medallion
|
Safety Bay
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Jen Hills and Adrian Hills
|
When two five-year-old girls were pulled from the water at Port Coogee Marina by family members, Jen and Adrian who were nearby raced to find a defibrillator. They ran in different directions and eventually located one but needed assistance to unlock it. Jen flagged down a car to call 000 for the code, while Adrian found a key in a nearby building. Upon their return, the girls were conscious but shaken. Jen placed one in the recovery position and kept her calm, and both Jen and Adrian stayed with the family, providing comfort until paramedics arrived. |
Bravery Commendation
|
Port Coogee
|
David Elder and Peter Grygiel
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While on their boat near Blackwall Reach last November, David and Peter noticed a severely distressed man acting erratically near the water’s edge. Concerned for the man’s safety they contacted police, before David jumped into a tender to reach the man who had since entered the water and began to struggle and sink under the surface. Peter, despite not being a strong swimmer, swam to assist. They paddled the man to shore, where they found he was blue and frothing at the mouth. They laid him in the recovery position and guided emergency services to their location. |
Gold Medallion
|
Swan River, Blackwall Reach
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Zlata Bilous
|
A fun day out at Hillarys Boat Harbour last summer with her mother and a friend turned into a distressing situation for 10-year-old Zlata. She and her friend had decided to jump into the water from the jetty, but as they swam back to the shore her friend began to panic and struggle in the water. Zlata swam back to assist her friend, who in her panic tried to climb on top of Zlata. Zlata reassured her friend and guided her to float on her back, providing physical and emotional support and ensuring her friend’s safety as they made their way back to shore where her mother was ready to assist. |
Gold Medallion
|
Hillarys Boat Harbour
|
Mark Clark
|
On a day of high tides and challenging conditions, three teenagers became caught in a dangerous rip current. Mark quickly took action by acquiring a nearby board. Despite the conditions pushing him towards a rocky outcrop, Mark paddled out into the treacherous waters and reached the teens, who were exhausted and panicking. Mark brought two of them back to safety, while the third was assisted by a police officer who had been alerted to the emergency.
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Gold Medallion
|
Bunbury
|
Michael Bickford
|
A woman had been found by her friend, face down and unresponsive in the pool at Michael’s neighbour’s house. Michael heard the friend’s distress calls and jumped over his rear fence. He entered the pool, pulled the woman out and immediately commenced CPR while directing the friend to call emergency services. Michael performed 15 full rounds of CPR until police and paramedics arrived. Despite his exhaustion, he provided a detailed handover to the emergency responders to ensure the best possible care.
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Gold Medallion
|
Australind
|
| Carly Agot, Atefeh Mahboob, Regan Carrott, Imogen Aue, Lily Brennan and William Morrow |
On a scorching 40-degree day last December, a critical incident occurred at the Goldfields Oasis Recreation Centre. Lifeguard Imogen saw a 3-year-old child underwater beneath a bridge, who was unsupervised and struggling to swim. Imogen, who was unable to leave her post, promptly alerted staff over the radio. Carly responded immediately, diving into the pool to rescue the child. Upon bringing him to safety, she noticed the child was conscious but not breathing and gave the child three big blows to the back. After getting a reaction from the child, although still not breathing, she repeated another three blows before the child disgorged a large amount of water and mucus, enabling him to take his first breath. William and Lily quickly joined to assist Carly in this life-saving effort. Meanwhile, Atefeh searched for the child’s mother, eventually locating her. Regan then informed the mother about the incident and provided follow-up advice.
|
Gold Medallion, Bravery Commendation and Gold Star
|
Goldfields Oasis Recreation Centre
|
Drew Whittington and Narelle Holt
|
When a patron was found unresponsive in the changerooms at the Aqualife Centre in Victoria Park, staff members Narelle and Drew provided a fast and professional response. Drew brought oxygen and a defibrillator to the scene, while Narelle immediately entered the changeroom to assist. Narelle and another team member rolled the unresponsive but breathing woman into the recovery position, administered oxygen and monitored her condition using a pulse oximeter. The woman’s breathing became ineffective and her oxygen levels dropped so Narelle and Drew began CPR, with the woman regaining consciousness by the time the ambulance arrived.
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Gold Medallion
|
Aqualife Victoria Park
|
Abbi Sharp and Harry Luan
|
When an unsupervised child was found unresponsive in deep water at Cannington Leisureplex, lifeguards Abbi and Harry demonstrated extraordinary responsiveness and skill. Abbi sprang into action, removing the unconscious child from the water and administering CPR. Harry quickly retrieved oxygen and an AED. Their combined efforts proved lifesaving, as the child regained consciousness and began to respond before paramedics arrived to take over.
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Gold Medallion
|
Cannington Leisureplex
|
Francesca Ashurst, Zoe Filgate, Eli Gasmier and Amy Harris
|
Last November a patron at Cannington Leisureplex was exercising in the pool with a physiotherapist when they reported feeling light-headed and fatigued. The physio assisted them from the pool where they fell unconscious. Francesca and Eli responded immediately, calling for support, collecting oxygen and a defibrillator and commencing CPR. Zoe and Amy arrived, Amy retrieving the privacy screens and clearing the pool hall of all patrons, while Zoe assisted with providing CPR. Despite their prompt response and providing CPR and defibrillation for 20 minutes until paramedics arrived, sadly the patron did not survive.
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Gold Medallion and Gold Star
|
Cannington Leisureplex
|
Debbie Gillard, Ryan Felton, Phillip David and Kate Chaisty
|
A patron at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre had fallen unconscious in the pool after suffering a massive heart attack. The team responded immediately, removing him from the water with a spinal board and commencing CPR. They administered two shocks via the defibrillator, with the patron regaining a pulse before the ambulance arrived. He went on to make a full recovery.
|
Gold Star and Gold Medallion
|
Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre
|
Senior Constable Alex Mears and Senior Constable Leigh Woods
|
While on a meal break at the Swan River foreshore in South Perth, Senior Constable Alex Mears and Senior Constable Leigh Wood were alerted by a member of the public to a young woman in distress in the water. The officers quickly responded, Senior Constable Mears swimming out to the woman who was clinging to a marker pole and unable to swim. He calmed her and swam her back to safety while Senior Constable Woods coordinated the rescue efforts on shore and arranged for an ambulance.
|
Gold Medallion and Bravery Commendation |
Swan River, South Perth
|
First Class Constable Chris Abbott, First Class Constable Amla Szalay, First Class Constable Mandip Singh, Constable Matthew Clements and Constable Merril Mathias
|
In April 2022, the officers from Gosnells Police were dispatched to an address in Brookdale. Constable Clements discovered a non-responsive female in the back yard, quickly alerting the other officers. Constable Abbott promptly began CPR, the victim beginning to show signs of life before paramedics arrived on scene.
|
Gold Medallion and Gold Star
|
Brookdale
|
Constable Louise Welch, Constable Jared Glynn, Constable Bayley Mitchell, Constable Josh Oppelaar, Sergeant Michael Fisher and Constable Aaron Brown
|
The officers responded to a critical incident at a residential address where they found an individual unresponsive and not breathing. The team worked tirelessly to administer CPR and other critical first aid, ensuring every possible effort was made to preserve life while awaiting paramedics. The man had regained signs of life before being taken to hospital, however he sadly later passed away.
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Gold Medallion
|
Cloverdale
|
First Class Constable Jake Lee, Senior Constable Peter Subritzky, Senior Constable David Vincent, Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan McGuggon and Senior Constable James Stewart
|
A vehicle and driver that had been the subject of an ongoing search were eventually located in Parklands, north of Mandurah. The driver had abandoned the vehicle near the Kwinana Freeway, with officers finding him unconscious a short while later. Recognising that he was in cardiac arrest, they immediately commenced CPR while awaiting paramedics. Following the arrival of St John Ambulance, the officers followed instructions and continued CPR for approximately 30 minutes. The man unfortunately did not regain signs of life.
|
Gold Medallion
|
Parklands |
Senior Constable Steven Kempster, Constable Deanne D’Ettore, First Class Constable Chantelle Webster, Constable Laila Krada, Constable Andrew Lundie and Constable Kellie Hamstead
|
In October 2022 the officers responded to an urgent medical emergency involving a 57-year-old woman who had fallen unconscious after experiencing seizures. Quickly initiating CPR upon arrival, the officers rotated through the lifesaving procedure for 15 minutes, stabilising the patient while providing reassurance to the family present.
|
Gold Medallion
|
Mandurah
|
Lesley McCarthy, Brian McCarthy and James Dean
|
On New Year’s Eve last year, Lesley and Brian were walking along the foreshore path in Burswood when they spotted two children floating face-up in the water. Acting immediately, they alerted those around them and entered the water to retrieve the children. James was also by the river that evening and saw the commotion as the children were pulled from the water. He rushed to assist and joined in the efforts to provide first aid to the children. Through the chaos and distress of the family members, the trio administered CPR to the two victims for around 15 minutes until paramedics arrived. Despite their heroic actions, both children tragically did not survive.
|
Gold Medallion
|
Burswood
|
Neil Johnson and Anastasia Isakova
|
During the Rottnest Channel Swim, a solo swimmer experienced difficulty while swimming and became unconscious. Anastasia, who was a member of the swimmer’s support team, responded immediately by jumping from the boat and swimming over to her. Neil, who was participating in a duo crossing, abandoned his race without hesitation to assist. Despite the challenging conditions of a 20-knot south-westerly and two-metre swell, Neil and Anastasia got the swimmer back to her support boat and on board. Noticing she was barely breathing and unresponsive, they assisted in clearing her airways and advised her team to call for immediate medical backup.
|
Gold Medallion
|
7km off the coast of Cottesloe
|
Niall Tuohy and Emily Tuohy
|
Emergency Department doctor Niall and his wife Emily, an ED nurse, were on their way to Bremer Bay in March last year when they came upon the scene of a head-on collision on Albany Highway in Arthur River. Leaping into action, Niall found one of the drivers had severe head injuries and critically low blood pressure. Emily had taken charge of a 000 call and was delivering vital updates of the driver’s condition as they kept her breathing for 30 minutes until an ambulance arrived. They then administered essential medications and stabilised her until the rescue helicopter was on the scene.
|
Gold Medallion
|
Arthur River
|
David Hobbs, Simon Delestang and Taryn Delestang
|
During the 2023 Port to Pub swim, volunteer officials David, Simon and Taryn assisted a solo swimmer who was showing signs of distress after swimming for eight hours. His stroke had slowed, he was disorientated, and his skin was turning blue. Taryn jumped in and swam to him and was guiding him back to his support kayak when he lost consciousness and began to sink. Simon promptly called Sea Rescue who arrived within minutes. David assisted in lifting the swimmer onto the boat and begam CPR, continuing while the boat returned to Rottnest where they were met by paramedics. After a further 40 minutes of intense effort, the swimmer regained a pulse and was transported to hospital where he recovered from hypothermia, pulmonary oedema, and a heart attack.
|
Gold Medallion
|
ocean, 5km from Rottnest Island
|
Dirk Matthiesen
|
In January this year, a fire engulfed a home in Roleystone trapping a mother and her two young sons inside. Upon discovering the blaze, Dirk smashed a window to rescue the two boys who were trapped behind a locked door amidst the intense heat and smoke. Dirk then courageously re-entered the burning house to search for their mother, but the intense conditions ultimately forced him back and he was unable to find her. While the mother tragically lost her life in the fire, Dirk’s heroic actions saved the lives of the two young boys.
|
Gold Cross
|
Roleystone
|
Paul Criddle
|
When a young girl was attacked by a shark near the old Fremantle Traffic Bridge, Paul noticed her floating unresponsive about 50 metres from shore and didn’t hesitate to act. He dove into the river without hesitation and brought the girl back to shore where he and others initiated first aid procedures. Tragically, despite their best efforts, the young girl could not be revived.
|
Gold Cross
|
North Fremantle
|
Cosette Palmer, Nigel Haines, Gavin Trevena, Jim Mitchell and Christine Schmid
|
Cosi and her fiancée Sam were kayaking off the coast of Dawesville earlier this year and Sam embarked on a deep free dive. After some time, Cosi noticed Sam at a distance face down and unresponsive. Unable to lift their anchor, she swiftly cut the rope and paddled toward him. Despite her small frame, with incredible strength and determination she managed to lift Sam, still wearing his heavy diving weights, onto the kayak. Realising the severity of the situation, Cosi activated their EPIRB and called 000 for assistance before commencing CPR. She continued for 15 minutes until Nigel, Christine, Jim and Gavin from Mandurah Volunteer Marine Rescue arrived and lifted Sam onto their rescue vessel. Nigel, Jim and Gavin took over providing CPR and applying a defibrillator, working for 40 minutes. Despite the tireless work of Cosi and the rescue team, Sam could not be revived.
|
Gold Cross and Gold Medallion
|
Southwest of The Cut at Port Bouvard (Dawesville)
|
Ella McIlveen
|
Ella received a Gold Cross Bravery Award in 2023 for her incredible act of resuscitation and first aid in an emergency in 2022. This year she received the Royal Life Saving Commonwealth Russell Medal, which is awarded to the most outstanding individual under the age of 21 who has performed an extraordinary act of resuscitation or attempted resuscitation within a Commonwealth country. The Royal Life Saving Society operates across 32 Commonwealth nations, including Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific. The Russell Medal represents the highest level of recognition within the Commonwealth, and Ella is only the fourth Australian to receive this award since it was established in 2000. |
Russell Medal
|
Kwinana Fwy
|
Senior Constable Michael Smith
|
Senior Constable Michael Smith responded to a woman in a severe mental health crisis, lost in bushland near Balingup one night. The police helicopter had located her in a paddock, and Senior Constable Smith navigated difficult terrain in an effort to reach her, including jumping over an electric fence. Despite losing his glasses he continued on, swimming out into a dam to follow the woman and ensure her safety. His dedication led to the successful apprehension of the woman who was then safely transported to hospital.
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Gold Star
|
Balingup
|
Robert Johnson
|
Robert stopped to help at the site of a serious crash on Forrest Highway, Brunswick in December 2022. A vehicle had spun off the road and burst into flames, killing the driver and seriously injuring two passengers. With one of the passengers trapped inside the burning car, Robert grabbed a fire extinguisher from his truck and risked his own safety to combat the flames. His quick thinking and fearless intervention undoubtedly saved the lives of the surviving passengers.
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Gold Medallion
|
Forrest Hwy, Brunswick
|
|
Alistair Spong
|
Alistair had been delivering a VacSwim class at Gracetown in early 2024 when he spotted a shark nearby, not an uncommon sighting at that location. Everyone exited the water except for one swimmer, Terry, who remained unaware of the danger despite multiple attempts to call and whistle to her. Undeterred, Alistair paddled out to her, coming within just two metres of where the shark had been sighted. He alerted Terry to the threat and guided her safely back to shore, averting a potentially life-threatening situation.
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Gold Medallion
|
Gracetown
|
Peter Tredgett, Noel Cowan and Gary Giblett
|
Peter, Noel and Gary rushed to the aid of Merv Himing who collapsed during a game of pool at his retirement village last December. Peter and Noel sprang into action with the help of two other friends, Ross and Brian. With guidance from the 000 operator they began lifesaving CPR. When Gary became aware of the incident, he raced to the location and joined in the rescue effort, the group continuing CPR for over 10 minutes and using a defibrillator to shock Merv’s failing heart until paramedics arrived. Merv was taken to hospital and owes his life to the swift and skilled response of his friends.
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Gold Medallion
|
Amana Living, Treendale
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