Ipswich Young Australian of the Year Noah Springall opens up about trauma of dog attack

A brutal dog attack was the beginning of an unbelievably tough childhood for Ipswich’s 2023 Young Australian of the Year.

A savage dog attack at the age of two and then a traumatic upbringing spurred Ipswich’s newest Young Australian of the Year to achieve.

Many people would have been crushed by the experiences faced by Noah Springall, but he used them as inspiration to help others, in big ways and in small.

Noah was presented with the award by Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding. She said runner-up Koby Saunter was also a very deserving nominee.

“These awards allow us to pause and recognise outstanding contributions and achievements of Ipswich residents and celebrate our welcoming community,’’ Ms Harding said.

“On behalf of the city, I want to congratulate them on their remarkable contributions and wonderful achievements.

Noah sustained life-threatening injuries in the 2008 dog attack but not only fought his injuries, he used his experiences as the motivation to fundraise for charity as he grew older.

Noah Springall with his award and with his siblings, Jessica, Natalie, Britney and Amelia.

His charity work started in fits and starts, helping out his older sisters in work they were doing in the community since 2012.

In 2016, Noah’s niece Amelia was born premature, at just 24 weeks, with a medical team Gold Coast University saving her life.

“He (the doctor) was actually at his son’s wedding, they had the wedding and he was going to the reception and he got the call and came in to save Amelia,” Noahs sister Natalie said.

This sparked something in Noah and he began collecting presents and vouchers to gift to the NICU staff.

Noah then organised a Mater Charity Event at the Ipswich Driving Range, dedicated to the hospital which saved his life, raising $1582 for Mater’s Little Miracles.

A QT article on Noah's dog attack in 2008.

“I wouldn’t be here today if the hospital didn’t save my life. I am so grateful for the amazing doctors and nurses that saved my life that day,” he said.

Noah’s sister Jessica was only 12 at the time and she was the one who rescued Noah from the dog.

“I don’t know what I was thinking, but I’ve just grabbed Noah and the doctors said if I didn’t do it he wouldn't be here today,” she said.

He received 100 stitches and spent several weeks at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane.

Noah never misses an opportunity to help his community.

He has raised money and collected essential supplies for victims of floods and bushfires, hospitals, cancer foundations and the RSPCA, to name a few.

One of Noah’s proudest moments was helping Stanthorpe bushfire victims.

He helped rally the community to collect a truckload of supplies, including trays of fresh produce and pallets of bottled water.

He even supervised the delivery to Purple Dove Awareness in Stanthorpe where the supplies were distributed.

“My favourite fundraiser that I’ve done would be Stanthorpe because I knew that I was helping people with like, preventing people from starving and dying from thirst, really directly helping them,” Noah said.

His sisters Jessica, Natalie and Britney said they could not be more proud of him and everything he had achieved.

Noah hoped to continue fundraising this year, despite his busy school schedule.

He planned to participate in the Small Steps for Hannah event, which raises funds for domestic violence awareness and support.