A look inside the stories behind our Pride of Australia NSW finalists

TIM Hannan was fishing with mates when he heard a scream and saw a man plunge from a cliff into the sea. What happened next could earn Tim a Pride of Australia gong.

THEY are an extraordinary group of everyday Australians, united by a bond of compassion, bravery and true heroism, their selfless acts are inspiring. Our unsung heroes are worthy Pride of Australia NSW finalists.

See the full list of finalists for the Pride of Australia awards

TIM HANNAN

FINALIST IN THE OUTSTANDING BRAVERY CATEGORY

TIM Hannan was fishing with mates off South Coogee when he heard a piercing scream and saw a man plunge from the top of the cliffs into the sea below.

With no thought of his own safety, the then 16-year-old scaled down the rocks and dove in after the man who had broken both legs in the fall and was drowning. "I pulled him out of the water and onto the rocks and just started talking to him, but he went into shock and wasn't responding much," Tim said.

"I had done my first aid course the week before, so I just started talking to keep him calm."

Tim's friends called for an ambulance but were told a rescue helicopter was at least 20 minutes away. As Tim hung on to the badly injured man, the tide turned and the pair were repeatedly pummelled by huge waves. "Every time I saw a big wave coming, I stood in front of him to take the force of the wave because, if he fell off [the rocks], he wouldn't be able to get back in," Tim said. Calling to his friends for a rope, Tim secured it to the man's arm and instructed his mates to hold on to stop him being washed away.

"His legs were badly broken - they were pretty much hitting him in the head every time a wave came in. He was badly injured, but in shock, so I don't think he actually felt anything," Tim recalled.

"I told him 'I'm not going to leave you until they grab us both' because I wanted him to know I wasn't going to let him go."

When helicopter rescuers retrieved the injured man, they also offered to winch up Tim, but he declined. "I'm actually really scared of heights," the now 18-year-old admitted.

The amateur boxer who next week fights for his first NSW title said he was proud to have been nominated for the award.

"It's pretty cool," he said.

Samantha Meyn is the founder or the Harry Meyn Foundation in honour of her son who died from an inoperable brain tumour.

HARRY'S HOUSE IS A VERY SPECIAL LEGACY

SAMANTHA MEYN

FINALIST IN THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT CATEGORY

WHEN an inoperable brain tumour claimed the life of her seven-year-old son, Samantha Meyn said she lost all will to go on. But a resolve to help other children battling cancer helped her slowly emerge from her grief and, with husband David, she created the Harry Meyn Foundation in memory of their eldest son.

"We  thought  it  would  be  great  to  honour Harry because he was such a caring, loving child that it seemed fitting to be able to help other children," Mrs Meyn said.

Established in 2008, the foundation raised more than $100,000 for charities such as Camp Quality and Kids with Cancer. But, despite their impressive fundraising, the Meyns felt the need to do more.

They began to search for a house by the sea with the idea of transforming it into a family retreat - and soon stumbled across a beach shack at Stockton.

The rundown house had been owned by an old-timer and was known to the locals as "Harry's house".

"We knew before we even saw it that it was meant for us," Mrs Meyn said.

After extensive renovations "Harry's House" was officially opened early last year and has provided free accommodation to dozens of needy families.

"The house gives us permission to talk about Harry all the time and to have other people remember what a special child he was," Mrs Meyn said. "This is his legacy."

Bella O'Brien is a Child of Courage finalist.

BRAVE BELLA BATTLES THE SURVIVAL ODDS

BELLA O'BRIEN

CHILD OF COURAGE

Bella O'Brien was just 18 months old when doctors at Sydney Children's Hospital delivered her parents the devastating diagnosis.

The toddler had Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - a cancer so rare the hospital had only ever treated 15 children - and none had survived. "It was pretty horrific when we heard that for the first time," said Bella's mum Jo-Ann O'Brien.

In his quest to save the little girl, SCH's Professor Glenn Marshall suggested experimenting with a new drug, Imatinib, which had been used in adults but never in children at the hospital.

"He said this is worth a shot and we agreed because we thought we should throw everything at it,'' Jo-Ann said.

Over the course of the next two years, Bella underwent chemotherapy, total body irradiation, a bone-marrow transplant, 30 general anaesthetics and countless painful procedures. The drugs that were keeping her alive caused constant vomiting and the serious infections she developed were so chronic, she spent two years of her hospital treatment in isolation - with no contact outside medical staff and family.

"She was a little trooper through it all and if there was a smile to be had, she would smile," Jo-Ann said.

Bella made history as the first patient successfully treated for her rare leukaemia.

Three months ago the bubbly seven-year-old celebrated the "magic" milestone of five years cancer-free and is now happily enjoying school and playing with her younger sister Grace.

Bella's nomination for the award came as a surprise to her parents as her nominator wished to remain anonymous.

"It's nice to think someone thought she was deserving of this nomination," her mother said.