Pride of Australia honours unsung heroes

KELLIE Wilson opens up for the first time about the night her husband and specialist helicopter rescue paramedic Michael was killed.

Sandra Sully

NO one knows the courage needed to rebuild lives shattered by unthinkable tragedy more than Kellie Wilson.

Her husband and specialist helicopter rescue paramedic Michael was killed on Christmas Eve, 2011, while trying to retrieve an injured canyoner at Budderoo National Park in the Southern Highlands.

Opening up for the first time about the night she received the terrible news, Mrs Wilson said she didn't want anyone to experience what she and her children Eliza, 16, Grace, 13, and seven-year-old Hugo have endured in the past 18 months.

"The evening was not unlike any other when Michael didn't come home at the normal finishing time," she said.

About 9pm she rang one of his colleagues to find out what sort of mission her 42-year-old husband was on.

Later another colleague called to say the mission "had gone badly and Michael had been injured".

"A colleague, one of Michael's good friends, stayed with me through the night and we heard nothing further until finally in the early hours, about 1.50am (on Christmas day), we were told Michael had died," she said.

"It was an unthinkable tragedy and something that you could not imagine in your worst nightmare and something that will stay with us forever."

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau report last month found Michael's helicopter crew misinterpreted a hand signal, which ultimately saw him plummet 15m to the bottom of a canyon.But it was just one of many factors leading up to the fatal accident and just one report of several investigations by police, NSW Ambulance Service and the Canadian helicopter contractor that will culminate with a full coronial inquest early next year.

Mrs Wilson, a trauma nurse at the Sydney Children's Hospital, has since worked tirelessly to improve the safety of helicopter paramedics while trying to return "a new type of normal" to her family's devastated lives.

The paramedic was posthumously awarded The Daily Telegraph's 2012 Pride of Australia Award for his heroism.

"Pride of Australia recognises Australians who through their courageous, often unacknowledged, actions make our country a better place," News Limited CEO Kim Williams said.

Mr Williams also welcomed Network Ten back as the program's media partner, which will broadcast the national awards ceremony.

Network Ten chief executive officer and managing director Hamish McLennan said the awards shone a light on unsung heroes.

Mrs Wilson said she was inspired by the "courage and self-sacrifice people give to others".

Sandra Sully

SANDRA Sully has a few words for those people thinking of nominating a local hero for the 2013 Pride Of Australia Medal.

"What are you waiting for?" the Channel 10 newsreader said.

Sully is a judge and host of the NSW Pride Of Australia Medal and will also host the national awards to be held in Sydney in October, broadcast by Channel 10.

"I just love these awards. It is such an honour to a part of them. I felt very moved to be asked to host and judge last year and am grateful to have the opportunity again this year.

"It's an incredible feeling to be inspired to give more back to your community."

Sully said she was totally blown away by the amazing stories. "You can't help but be moved by their incredible stories of heroism, courage and selflessness."

Nominations can be made at www.prideofaustralia.com.au

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