South Australias 2013 Pride of Australia medals honours ordinary Aussies doing extraordinary things
THESE are South Australia’s true heroes, the people we don’t hear about — they’ve saved lives, put others first, and themselves second. Here are the 2013 Pride of Australia category winners.
IT WAS a tragedy that unfolded thousands of kilometres away but was all too close to home for Salisbury East principal Michael Potter.
As terror struck in Nairobi, Kenya, this week, where at least 67 scores of people were killed by Islamic terrorists in a shopping mall, Mr Potter prayed for his many friends in a country he has known for more than 35 years.
The principal of the Tyndale Christian school was yesterday awarded a Pride of Australia medal in the Inspiration category for his many years work trying to improve living conditions in the African country.
“I would like to dedicate this award to the people of Kenya,” the 52-year-old Mr Potter said at yesterday’s ceremony at Keith Murdoch House, home to The Advertiser, Sunday Mail and Messenger Newspapers — which sponsor the event with the Ten Network.
“Many of my friends were in the mall at the time so I would like to dedicate it to them for their incredible inspiration under difficulty and the way in which they have rallied together as a country at this time,” he said.
Mr Potter first visited Kenya when he was 16 and lived in the country for 13 years with his wife Dani before returning to Australia in 2001. But he has maintained his connection through a program where school groups travel to the country and volunteer at a Kenyan orphanage. The annual trips have involved more than 200 students since 2002 and have raised more than $350,000 for the orphanage.
“I went to Africa as a 16 year-old and it changed my life and I really want to provide the same opportunity for others,” he said.
Mr Potter was one of 10 award winners at yesterday’s ceremony which recognised the courage, dedication and selflessness of South Australians from all walks of life.
Editorial director Melvin Mansell said the awards, which yesterday celebrated their ninth edition, recognised the best in all of us.
“Too often awards are based only on people’s position and who they know,” Mr Mansell said. “The Advertiser and Sunday Mail’s Pride of Australia medal celebrated a remarkable number of people in our community who make countless sacrifices with no expectation of recognition.”
Other winners included Heroism medallist, and fireman Tony Mills, who on his way home after a long shift noticed a black plume of smoke billowing from a house and rescued two teenagers from the inferno.
And Child of Courage medal winner, 14-year-old lifesaver Riley Poole, who saved five teenagers in trouble while on patrol at Semaphore Beach.
The winners covered all age spectra.
The Community Spirit medal was won by 82-year-old Bill Ryan who has spent a lifetime helping the homeless. Even when Mr Ryan won $100,000 on the lottery several years ago he spent most of the winnings buying the house next door to convert it to a shelter for homeless men.
“When I was young we were poor ourselves so I know what it’s like to be in need,The Care and Compassion medal was awarded to Martin and Michelle Roberts, who have raised more than $400,000 for families of children with rare diseases, after the death of their four-year-old son Sam who lost a battle with the neurologically degenerative Niemann-Pick Type C disease in 2005.
The Roberts now aim to build a holiday house near Adelaide for families and children with terminal diseases.
“We want to give them a bit of hope and take some joy out of a tragic situation,” Mr Roberts said.
Pride of Australia has its origins with a similar program started by the New York Post in the US after the September 11 attacks as a way of honouring the city’s firefighters and police.
The awards attracted 324 nominations this year.
Here are the 2013 Pride of Australia category winners.
Heroism — Tony Mills
Tony Mills is a senior firefighter with the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service. He has more than 30 years’ service and has supported the community in many major fire incidents. While off-duty, Tony noticed dark black smoke coming from a house and immediately dialled triple-0. Running to the scene of the blaze, he found the house already engulfed with flames and heard screaming coming from inside. Tony sprang into action, broke a bedroom window and guided the two teenagers inside to the window, where he climbed up and pulled them to safety.
Courage — Natalie Cook
In 2008, Natalie (and husband Neil’s) life was turned upside down when their 17-year-old son Sam was king-hit at party and suffered devastating brain injuries. After making the heart-wrenching decision to turn off Sam’s life-support, Natalie was gripped by the conviction that other families should not suffer a similar fate. Five years on from launching the Sammy D Foundation, Natalie continues to share her story with young adults to educate them on the dangers and consequences of youth violence.
Young Leader — Bonnie Stewart
Bonnie founded the not-for-profit organisation With Love & Lipstick, an organisation that creates awareness about violence against women. Despite working two jobs, Bonnie dedicates her spare time to furthering awareness, securing local sponsors and ambassadors and raising funds for key community groups. Bonnie has raised money for women’s shelters, provided gifts for domestic violence victims, organised family fun days with the Redbacks and touched the hearts of many.
Environment — Dorothy Berris
Dorothy Berris has been the backbone of the Native Animal Network in South Australia for the past 25 years. The network provides a support service for carers of injured wildlife and members of the public who have sick or injured animals; something that would not be possible without the knowledge and passion Dot brings to the organisation. At 76, she still helps catch kangaroos and care for injured wildlife — with more than a few furry faces taking refuge in her lounge room.
Community Spirit — William Ryan
William has committed his life to helping others. After winning the lottery he purchased a house next door to his to care for the homeless and elderly in his community. He has paid for funerals when there has been no family member to cover the cost, provided medications and has upgraded the kitchen and bathroom facilities in his elderly neighbours’ home when they wanted to spend longer in their own home before being moved into care. William has taken on a number of jobs to finance this care and to his community, is a true hero.
Fair Go — Matthew Chimu
Nineteen-year-old Matthew is the first African-born Adelaide resident to become a fully-fledged lifesaver after completing the On The Same Wave program just months after fleeing the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. On The Same Wave was established after Surf Life Saving Australia’s National Coastal Safety Report found that 32 per cent of drowning victims were born overseas. Matthew is committed to helping new arrivals feel safe and comfortable in the water and has recently recruited four new migrants to join him at Henley Surf Life Saving Club this coming summer.
Inspiration — Michael Potter
Michael Potter spent 13 years working at a school in Kenya before returning to Australia in 2001. Now as the principal of Tyndale Christian School, Michael has fostered in his students a spirit of volunteering and runs yearly mission trips to two orphanages east of Kenya. These trips are purpose built to expose and educate young adults to the realities of life in a developing nation and to provide support for these disadvantaged communities. The school has now helped build a medical clinic and soccer field as well as provided funding for education fees and food expenses.
Care and Compassion — Martin Roberts and Michelle Roberts (group nomination)
Following the passing of their four-year-old son Sam, Marty and Michelle founded The Sam Roberts Family Fund and have since raised more than $400,000 for terminally ill children and their families. The charity has raised this money via a biannual fundraising event, Cycle4Sam, where cyclists ride thousands of kilometres across some of Australia’s most challenging terrain. The proceeds raised from this event have enabled Marty and Michelle to found The Sam Roberts Family Care Unit at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, providing a family care resource for parents and siblings of terminally ill children.
Outstanding Bravery — Peter Browne
On May 31, 2013, Peter Browne saved three-year-old twins and their father from their burning home. While on duty as a postman, Peter noticed smoke coming from a house on his rounds and quickly went to provide assistance. He located a ladder with the help of a neighbour and rescued the twins from an upstairs balcony before the house was quickly engulfed in flames. His quick response and selfless thinking averted certain tragedy.
Child of Courage — Riley Poole
While volunteering for the Surf Life Saving Patrol at Semaphore Beach, Riley helped rescue a group of teenagers after their jetting jumping adventure went horribly wrong. After being alerted to the stranded teenagers, Riley paddled out to the side of the jetty where he found three teenagers clinging to barnacle covered pylons, bleeding and being battered by waves. After paddling two boys to shore, Riley doubled back to retrieve the third teenager before realising a further two teenagers were in trouble. His heroic actions that day saved five teenagers, earning him his lifesaving stripes.