He almost paid with his own life but says he’d do it again.

That’s why Harris, a 23-year-old cafe owner from Palmview, heads the list of The Courier-Mail’s most Inspiring Queenslanders of 2020. He’s part of a group of the state’s finest; individuals who showed grace, resilience, determination and courage to achieve remarkable things in the most challenging year in recent history.

The honour does not sit well with the young father, who is being treated for severe post-traumatic stress disorder since the December 5 tragedy in which two men drowned.

It caps a devastating year for Harris and fiancee Allanah, 30, whose daughter Lily was stillborn aged 27 weeks in April. Harris’s father, Rob Helliwell, 53, died two weeks later after a long illness. Grief and COVID saw the couple, who have a son James, 3, and are expecting their second son in May, postpone their wedding.

“I’m glad I was able to pull the boy and his uncle out of the water, and I would probably do it all again if I had to, but it wouldn’t be easy. I feel like what I did was stupid, I did the one thing I shouldn’t have done,’’ admits a candid Harris.

“One of the directors of Surf Lifesaving has said, the biggest thing that results in mass death [in the surf] is one person getting swept out by a rip, another person trying to save that person and also getting caught, and so on.’’

He and Allanah were on their way home from a birthday camping weekend around 2.30pm that Saturday, when they were pulled over on Teewah Beach by a man and woman shouting that people were drowning.

Harris helped pull a man and a nine-year-old boy from the water, but Denny Jade Caballa, 37, from Kingaroy, and Richard Catbagan, 37, of Dalby, could not be saved, despite the efforts of off-duty cardiac doctors, surgeons, firefighters and lifesavers at the scene. Allanah swam a boogie board out to an exhausted Harris, who was also helped to shore by another bystander.

“It was because of other people’s compassion and other people’s love that we were able to work together to get the best outcome in the worst situation. We managed to save two lives and that is a solid, direct result of love, compassion and teamwork. That’s mankind at its finest,’’ he said, warning people to stay safe in the surf this summer.

Harris says he has gained a new family in the Caballas and Catbagans, and been overwhelmed by the kindness and support continuing to be showed by family, friends and strangers. “It just makes me so grateful that we do have good people in the world.’’

INSPIRING QUEENSLANDERS OF 2020

DR JEANNETTE YOUNG, 57

A calm, comforting presence in our homes every day for almost a year, Dr Jeannette Young has been credited with crafting one of the most successful pandemic responses in the world.

Australia’s longest serving chief health officer, Young was also the first to publicly raise concerns about the mystery virus and the first to declare COVID-19 a public health emergency – even before the World Health Organisation.

Her war room – the State Health Emergency Coordination Centre – has been running 24/7 since the Australia’s first confirmed case on January 25. Queensland’s first case was confirmed three days later.

One of the most recognisable women in the state, a gracious and modest Young insists any praise must be shared with the “unbeatable” and “brilliant” team she works with every day.

“It’s been a magnificent joint effort,’’ the mother of two said. “I don’t want to be a celebrity – just a chief health officer giving the best advice I can.’’

SNR CONST BEN BJARNESEN, 36

Domestic violence survivor and Brisbane Senior Constable Ben Bjarnesen is using his personal experience to raise awareness of domestic violence in the LGBTQ community.

Since launching the inaugural LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day on May 28, Bjarnesen has been inducted into the inaugural Queensland Government Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Honour Roll, named as one of Australian Human Rights Commission Human Rights Heroes and included in the Deloitte Outstanding 50 LGBTI leaders.

A tireless advocate for more than a decade, Bjarnesen, 36, also created a regional support group for multiple communities, helped establish the QPS LGBTI Consultative Group, and is heavily involved in several not-for-profit organisations.

“I tell my story and I do the work that I do in the hope it will make a difference to someone else’s life. It has reached a lot of people thankfully through different methods, and I’m at a point now that I’m getting feedback from people that it has helped them, and that feedback is incredible,’’ says Bjarnesen, who is based at the Fortitude Valley Police Station.

“We need everyone to get on board and see domestic violence as an issue for the entire community. It doesn’t discriminate, it doesn’t matter what your sexuality is, gender, cultural background; it can affect everyone.’’

JACK GROWDEN, 23

In a year of home schooling and remote learning, young Townsville philanthropist Jack Growden changed the lives of some of Queensland’s most isolated and disadvantaged students.

Growden, 23, developed the Remote Learning Program and provided 311 high school students – half of which were Indigenous – in regional, rural or remote north Queensland with a laptop or personal computer. He received more than 1400 applications in a single week.

It’s a need he will address further next year through Litehaus International, the charity he founded in 2017 to provide digital devices for primary school students in Papua New Guinea. Noticing the lack of technology in schools during a university research trip, Growden established the country’s first primary school computer lab that year and has added another seven since.

“Next year, in PNG we believe we can impact 40-50,000 people through the establishment of about 40 computer labs in primary schools, and in Queensland we believe we can assist close to 1000 students as we expand across the state,’’ says Growden, who graduated from James Cook University (JCU) with honours in urban planning. He recently left a full-time fundraising job with JCU to become Litehaus International’s CEO.

“A quality education can only be a digital education in today’s world. Computers shouldn’t be seen as an add-on accessory or something we’re fortunate to have. Education is a fundamental human right and digital devices are the critical tool for students to be able to gain those skills to engage in today’s world,’’ he said.

ALI BRIGGINSHAW, 31

Ali Brigginshaw “just got on with it” and, as a result, was crowned Australia’s best female rugby league player in what was a brilliant year on the field.

2020’s Dally M medal recipient Brigginshaw, 31, led the brilliant Brisbane Broncos team to their third back-to-back NRLW premiership and captained the Maroons to their first State of Origin win.

She’s even had a street named after her in her hometown of Ipswich – Brigginshaw Way is under construction in Ecco Ripley.

And Brigginshaw almost didn’t even get on the field, starting the year with a major injury and the prospect of competition being moved to Sydney.

“It’s really hard to stay focused on footy when everything is happening and there’s so many changes. But we [as a team] had a values set – act, accept and adapt, from a podcast by [American singer] Usher. We can’t change what’s happening, so accept and act on it in the way we can, rather than try to change it or sulk,’’ says the Jillaroos five-eighth. “We just got on with it.’’

After a family holiday with partner Kate Daly and children Addison, 7, and Alfie, 4, Brigginshaw is looking forward to getting back on the field with Toowoomba Valley Fillies and building the NRLW in 2021.

DEXTER KRUGER, 110 & 348 days

All in all it’s been a good year for Australia’s oldest man, author and TV personality, Dexter Kruger.

As quick-witted, good-humoured and spry as ever, Kruger says his book sales have been good, his autobiography is coming together well and he’s starring in his second documentary.

The super-centenarian is looking forward to celebrating his 111th birthday party with family and friends on January 13, and perhaps setting a new record in the not-to-distant future. The oldest Australian man ever was Jack Lockett, who died in 2002 aged 111 years, 123 days. The oldest known living Australian is Mabel Crosby, aged 111 years, 110 days [that’s correct as at today].

“Well, I get a lot of feedback to say how I inspire people, and I am an inspiration to everybody because I’m in very good health and I’m likely to live for a few more weeks. I wouldn’t come into years, or maybe just one perhaps,’’ he chuckles, assuring he’s still diligently exercising for about 45 minutes every morning.

Born in 1910, the grazier retired at 95 and gave up driving the same year but lived independently until he was 103. His hearing is failing and his sight has all but disappeared but he’s written more than 220 stories – or more than 200,000 words – compiled into 12 books since he first picked up a pen, aged 86. He’s writing his autobiography with the help of friend and secretary Janet Rowlings.

So, what does a super-centenarian want for his birthday? “My two front teeth!’’ he laughs. “Or I like chocolate.’’

HANNAH CLARKE, 31

Queensland Police Commissioner Katerina Carroll called her bravery “astonishing”, Marie Clare magazine posthumously named her as one of Australia’s “Women of the Year”, and her name has become the catalyst
for change within the domestic violence sector.

Hannah Clarke was 31 when her estranged husband, Rowan Baxter, then 42, ambushed her and their three children – Aaliyah, six, Laianah, four and Trey, three – in the family car and doused them with petrol
on them morning of February 19, 2020.

Hannah Clarke, hoping to save her children, escaped from the car, later giving testimony that she hoped Baxter would chase and kill only her, leaving the children safe.

But Baxter instead set the car alight, and Hannah and her children would all die from their injuries – but not before Hannah, with burns to 97 per cent of her body gave her testimony to police who had been called to the scene of the horror in Camp Hill.

Unaware that Baxter also killed himself at the scene of the crime, Clarke, although in terrible pain, told police exactly what had happened, ensuring Baxter would face justice for what he had done.
Since then, her parents Lloyd and Sue Clarke have set up a charity in her name Small Steps for Hannah, raising awareness and funds for the domestic violence sector.

Many women have come forward to tell the Clarkes that reading Hannah’s story has given them the courage to face their own experience of domestic violence, and seek help.
As Hannah Clarke’s sister-in-law Stacey Clarke has called her, in life and in death, Hannah Clarke was, and remains, a “warrior”.

KATE YEOMAN, 53

Kate Yeoman bared her soul and her scarred body on the front page of The Sunday Mail and thanks to her bravery she set in motion a plan by the then Health Minister Steven Miles to reduce the backlog of Queenslanders waiting for elective surgery.

Kate had herself been waiting for more than eight years to have her breasts reconstructed following breast cancer. She revealed the rawness of her plight for all to see in the hope she would help others left languishing on endless wait lists.
Kate eventually got her new breasts this year.

“2020 was a year like no other, I am one of the lucky women to have been blessed with a good breast cancer diagnosis. That allowed me to experience the highs and lows of a year that many are ready to forget,” she said.

“After waiting for almost a decade for reconstructive surgery, I decided in 2019 that it was about time to tackle the issue. Appearing naked on the front page of The Sunday Mail was never something I planned to do but when the opportunity presented itself to advocate on behalf of all the Queenslanders waiting longer times than they should for category three surgery, there was no decision to make. I am so proud to have shown this vulnerable side of myself, I’ve helped women who wonder what it might look like, and I’ve had men thank me for showing what to expect and many other people have received life changing surgery.”

PETER LOLLO

The Courier-Mail Queenslander of The Year has 25 years of volunteering under his belt and in the years ahead, Peter Lollo, will only intensify his commitment to community service.

Mr Lollo volunteers for the Black River Rural Fire Brigade near Townsville and fought fires in both Victoria and New South Wales earlier this year. He also helped in the clean up after the devastation of Cyclone Larry in Innisfail in 2006.

The owner/director of JEM Distributors Pty Ltd in Townsville also plays his role in the Queensland economy, overseeing a successful business that provides lighting and lighting poles to various industrial, mining and retail bodies.

In the year ahead he will be devoting hundreds of hours of his own time to train as an air observer to help track fires. “It is fairly intensive training and when you complete it you become what is known as a state asset,’’ he said.

The training will only put more demands on his time, placing him on a rolling roster where he will be required to be ready for deployment 24/7 for one full week out of six.

“I decided many years ago I wanted to be a rural firefighter, and I‘m glad I did,’’ he says.

“The world runs on volunteers.’

BLUEY, 6

It’s the simple cartoon made out of a studio in Brisbane that’s taken over the world of kids’ TV.
In the two years since Bluey launched, in October 2018, the animation about a family of blue and red heelers has achieved the type of success few children’s shows have before it.
The loveable series, featuring sisters Bluey, 6, Bingo, 4, mum Chilli, and dad Bandit, has been praised by child psychologists for its play-filled lessons of love setting parenting examples.
The homegrown show is the brains of Brisbane animator Joe Brumm and is produced by Ludo Studio in Fortitude Valley alongside executive producers Charlie Aspinwall, Daley Pearson and producer Sam Moor. At its heart is family and play and along the way, the cattle dog cartoon family teaches valuable lessons for kids and parents on the importance of play.

This simple concept struck a chord with viewers with the Queensland-based production smashing records. It’s become the most-watched series ever on ABC iView.

The first season experienced more than 261 million plays and ever since Bluey expanded into the international market last year, its global popularity has grown exponentially.

In June, 2019, BBC Studios forged a worldwide deal with Disney catapulting Bluey’s reach and it’s now currently available in the US, UK, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, New Zealand and China.

Just as it’s risen in Australia, it’s experienced major success in the US. Across Disney Junior and Disney Channel in the first half of this year, Bluey reached 15.6 million people over the age of two and it was ranked the number one on DisneyNOW for 17 weeks.

The show has won a Logie, an Emmy and this month won its second AACTA Award for Best Children’s Program. Bluey launched their first live stage show, which is currently playing at QPAC, with puppets bringing the show to life. Next month, fans will be able to listen to Bluey: The Album.

JACQUI BELL, 25

Running long and gruelling courses makes Jacqui Bell happy so when COVID-19 clipped her wings as a globetrotting, multi-stage ultramarathon runner, she found a new source of joy.

Why not run 160km up and down the hills and valleys of the D’Aguilar range in her hometown of Brisbane? In one go.

Bell, 25, was the only woman to tackle the Brisbane Trail Ultra 100 Mile in July this year and despite taking a wrong turn that added to her time, she completed the arduous event in just over 28 hours. If you finish in under 30 hours, you get a gold buckle.

It was a different discipline for Bell who ran her way into the record books in late 2019 when she became the youngest person in the world to compete in a multi-stage ultramarathon (250km or more) on all seven continents.

She’s lost toenails in Namibia and fallen through an ice sheet in Antarctica but Bell says the arduous events have given her clarity, purpose and happiness. While the pandemic keeps her from travelling overseas for multi-stage events, she’s making the most of her new-found love of single-stage racing, with plans to run in the Ultra-Trail Australia event in the Blue Mountains, NSW, in May.

“I never thought I’d be doing the single-stage racing but I’m loving it and enjoying getting fitter and faster.”

Bell began running competitively after a hellish period in her early 20s when she became addicted to prescription drugs, leaving her overweight and directionless.

She now makes a living as a sponsored professional athlete and motivational speaker, and has recently launched a line of 100 per cent vegan sneakers, Platform 6, with friends, Sarah Butler, and tennis player Priscilla Hon.

Her tip for happiness? “Just go out and do something you love. Have a go. Running was just a way for me to overhaul my mental health and now it’s become my life and career. So just keep working at what you love.”