Brave Queenslanders recognised at 2015 Pride of Australia Awards
THE selfless acts of some very brave Queenslanders have been recognised at the Pride of Australia Awards and their incredible stories will warm hearts.
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WHEN they tell you their story, it sounds so simple – of course, that’s what you would do.
Sixteen brave Queenslanders who would call themselves ordinary were honoured for their selfless acts across 10 categories of the 11th Queensland Pride of Australia Awards at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art on Friday night.
There was nine-year-old Kaitlin Relf who bravely saved her sister’s life from the family car as it was swept away by floodwaters and promising professional surfer Julian Wilson from Coolum Beach who blindly swam towards his mate Mick Fanning as the three-time world champion was attacked by a shark on live television.
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There’s a marine biologist Jennie Gilbert and acclaimed photographer Christian Miller who care for sick turtles in their spare time, and teenager Jess Kelly who started helping hundreds of homeless people from his parents’ home office.
Charleville police officer Adam Pearson was driving home after his shift when fire trucks roared past on their way to an accident on the Mitchell Highway, just outside of the western Queensland town. A truck carrying more than 50 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, the highly explosive chemical used in fertiliser, had overturned.
While he had heard of the danger in the load, firefighters Jake Sullivan, Clinten McCarthy, Peter Hackwood and Nathan Thompson had no idea. And then the worst happened.
The truck caught fire and triggered a massive explosion that was felt 30km away, recording a 2.0 shockwave and destroying a concrete bridge.
Pearson was knocked out in his car but made his way closer to the accident as soon as he came to.
“All of a sudden out of the darkness we see this tiny little light and we all look at each other thinking, ‘There’s survivors’,” he said.
The group didn’t think further about the danger and treated the severely injured truck driver. Miraculously, all survived and last night were presented with the Heroism Medal in the Queensland Pride of Australia Awards.
Lucy Strickland has worked in some of the most challenging countries around the world for the UNHCR, World Vision and Oxfam to help improve the quality of life of children in war and disaster zones. Her Inspiration Medal was collected by her sister Em last night as she’s currently working in northern Iraq.
Nurse manager Mark McDonnell has already received awards for his work with his charity that helps homeless people in Brisbane’s West End. With a handful of volunteers he gives out about 1500 meals a week to about 150 people.
“It was all because I opened my mouth and said I could do better than this,” he said of the issues he had come across in existing services.
“I hope to increase awareness that homelessness is a real issue, poverty is a real issue,” he said after receiving his medal for Care and Compassion.
Former soldier Timothy Wilson was hit by an IED with he was on active service in Afghanistan with the 6RAR. Despite physical and emotional scars, he campaigns to improve the care of returned servicemen and women with Mates4Mates.
Once he got to his new country in 1975, Vietnamese-born doctor Cuong Bui didn’t waste any time contributing to his community. He’s served at national president of the Vietnamese Community in Australia and numerous other multicultural and refugee groups and even helped victims of the 2010-2011 Queensland floods.
Shaune Watts didn’t let the pain and fear of his mother’s leukaemia diagnosis grind him to a halt. He’s now raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities to improve the care of other patients.
And Casey Lyons, who picked himself up after his mate killed himself in 2013 and now devotes all his spare time running a suicide prevention charity for young men at risk, was awarded the People’s Choice Medal for his work.
Just ordinary stories. Of course that’s what you would do.
THE WINNERS
Child of Courage Medal: Kaitlin Relf
In last May’s sudden storm that swept through Brisbane and surrounds, Kaitlin Relf showed incredible courage to save her three year old sister Tara from drowning after a wall of water hit the family car. Kaitlin undid her sister’s seatbelt and pushed her out of the car that already was submerged. She held on to the youngster as the water dragged them to their mother Andrea who was clinging to a nearby tree.
Environment Medal: Jennie Gilbert and Christian Miller
Marine biologist Jennie Gilbert and wildlife photographer Christian Miller run the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in their spare time to raise money to care for sick and injured turtles. They also are the driving forces behind the Fitzroy Island Rehabilitation Centre, the turtle rescue and triage centres at Cooktown and Cowley Beach, and numerous research and education
programs.
Heroism Medal: Jake Sullivan, Clinten McCarthy, Peter Hackwood, Nathan Thompson, Adam Pearson
Adam Pearson, Jack Sullivan, Clinten McCarthy, Peter Hackwood and Nathan Thompson were the first to arrive at a truck roll over, that was carrying more than 50 tonnes of ammonium nitrate on the Mitchell Highway just out of town. With two bystanders, the police officer and auxillary firefighters bravely tended the severely injured truck driver when there were two explosions that left a 5 metre crater and closed the highway for months.
Courage Medal: Timothy Wilson
The former soldier has overcome significant mental and physical injuries from a bomb blast while serving in Afghanistan in 2010 to inspire others to achieve greatness. Still battling post-traumatic stress, Tim shared his story publicly on television. After delisting from the army he is now focused on helping others achieve their best and raising awareness for Mates4Mates.
Young Leader Medal: Jesse Kelly
When he was just 15 years old, Jesse helped start a charity from his parents’ house in Burpengary, north of Brisbane to help the homeless and disadvantaged. As the managing director of Moreton Bay Regional Community Response, he oversees 150 volunteers and services
4000 disadvantaged people per month on top of his day job.
Community Spirit Medal: Shaune Watts
After his mother was diagnosed with leukemia, Shaune was inspired to dedicate his spare
time to raising money for the Leukaemia Foundation and Mater Little Miracles. He organises and hosts an annual Charity Golf Day, and Charity High Tea, which have raised more than
$230,000. This has helped Mater Little Miracles to buy new state-of-art equipment and a donation to the Leukaemia Foundation for cancer research.
Inspiration Medal: Lucy Strickland (award accepted by her sister Em Strickland)
Lucy Strickland has dedicated her career to improve the quality of life for children in war and disaster zones. She was worked in more than 20 countries for several international non-government organisations in the areas of educational development and reconstruction in post-conflict and disaster zones. In the last 12 months, her role as the UN’s Global
Education in Emergencies Specialist has seen her in northern Iraq where she designed an education program for 160,000 displaced children living in refugee camps.
Fair Go Medal: Dr Cuong Bui
Since fleeing to Australia from Vietnam in 1975, Dr Cuong Bui has been active in the community. Serving as national President of the Vietnamese Community in Australia he also has been a member of the federal government’s Australian Refugee Advisory Council for Refugees; the Queensland Migrant Settlement Council of Boat People and on the Australian Aboriginal Reconciliation Council of Queensland and founder of the Queensland Multicultural Council.
Care and Compassion: Mark McDonnell
Mark McDonnell is a mental health nurse who cares for dementia patients and the elderly has been recognised for his charity work in Brisbane’s West End. He has also been awarded a Queensland Police Credit Union Local Hero award for his work with his homeless charity, Community Friends. He rented out his apartment to homeless people at a very low rate about four years ago.
Outstanding Bravery: Julian Wilson (award accepted by mum Nola)
Australian surfing star Julian Wilson has been hailed a hero internationally for risking his life to help rival and close mate Mick Fanning as he was being attacked by a great white shark in the J-Bay final in South Africa in July. Instead of fleeing for the safety of shore, Julian, from Coolum Beach, paddled towards the shark as it knocked Mick off his board and tried to bite him. The 26-year-old won admirers all over the world for his humble and emotional interview following the attack.
People’s Choice Medal: Casey Lyons
After losing his best friend to suicide in 2013, Casey Lyons started a full registered charity LIVIN which aims to break down the stigma of mental illness and offer support for those suffering. The charity, which he runs with friend Sam Webb, uses fashion and social media to try to get people talking about mental health. While he works full time as a carpenter, he finds time to pack merchandise orders and attend events and seminars most weekends
Pride of Australia is a News Corp initiative run by The Courier-Mail, the Sunday Mail, Quest Community Newspapers, The Gold Coast Bulletin, Townsville Bulletin and Cairns Post to celebrate and recognise outstanding people in our community.
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