Pride of Australia NSW finalists announced as national awards approach on November 15

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

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 - the winners will compete in the national awards on November 15. In partnership with Network Ten the ceremony will be shown live on their new morning Studio 10.

CARE AND COMPASSION

Norma Unger: For almost 47 years Norma has volunteered as a Pink Lady at Ryde Hospital, helping patients, co-ordinating other volunteers and making endless jams and cakes for fundraisers to buy hospital equipment. She has shown tireless commitment to enriching the lives of thousands of patients.

Karen Robinson: A foster carer to more than 200 children over the past 30 years the 57 year old from Peak Hill has transformed lives by providing a safe and supportive home. She has bought property and her dream is to one day build a home to house and lovingly care for more foster children.

Christine Turner: An integral member of Stroke Team at Sutherland Hospital she has established a range of services enabling the multidisciplinary team to work together to tailor care for the individual. She is also recognised for her humanity as a passionate patient advocate.

CHILD OF COURAGE

Cooper Woods: As a 12-year-old he jumped off a waterfall at Nethercote Falls to save a badly injured 14-year-old girl who slipped while trying to leap off the edge and was knocked unconscious after slamming into rocks. Pulling her to the surface he calmly kept her head above water until help arrived.

Daniel Perinich: The 12-year-old from Green Valley lost his baby brother and suffered severe head and brain injuries in a horrifying car accident in 2010. Not expected to live, Daniel has become a beacon of hope and symbol of resilience and continues to amaze as he overcomes his many hurdles.

Bella O'Brien: Diagnosed at 18 months with a rare cancer, Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia she became the first patient at Sydney Children's Hospital to be successfully treated with an experimental drug, Imatinib, which is now proven best practice.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Samantha Meyn: Founder of the Harry Meyn Foundation in honour of her seven year old son who passed away from an inoperable brain tumour. She bought and built Harry's House, a retreat by the sea at Stockton which offers accommodation to families with a child undergoing cancer treatment.

Melina Skidmore: Having suffered horrific abuse during 100 foster care placements, this single mum of four has overcome her past to establish "Angels for the Forgotten" which has distributed crisis care packages through police and emergency agencies to more than 2,000 needy youth and families.

Ross Woolven: Affectionately known as 'The Pie Man' he reaches into his own pocket to feed the homeless and derelict of Parramatta every week. The clinical industrial audiologist takes time out from his successful business to reach out and offer friendship and support to those most in need.

COURAGE

Josephine Bourke: Diagnosed with a rare and life threatening encephalitis in 2011 she has trialled new medical procedures to help doctors learn about this mysterious disease and find a cure. Showing courage and strength she has battled her illness to return to her beloved job as a primary school teacher.

Jayme Richardson: Born dead doctors who revived Jayme gave her little chance of surviving but her fighting spirit defied all odds. Despite her cerebral palsy which causes shaking attacks she is today a medal winning Paralympian cyclist, motivational speaker and advocate for disadvantaged kids.

William Chapman: While suffering heart and lung failure, Will created a brilliant media campaign raising awareness for organ donation and transplantation which resulted in unprecedented donation rates. He received a heart and double lung transplant and remains passionately committed to the cause.

ENVIRONMENT

Ena Middleton: Passionate about bush regeneration Ena established one of the first landcare groups at Wambina, on the Central Coast, with many species in the reserve propagated by seeds she collected. The reserve is home to 145 fauna species, 12 of which are threatened and protects 134 native flora.

Tim Silverwood: He launched the Take 3 campaign to get the community to pick up three pieces of rubbish to reduce waste entering the waterways. An environmental educator, campaigner and advocate his focus is the impact of plastics on the ecosystem and the toll on animals and sea creatures.

Susan Moore: Susan's devotion to her local community in Malabar has seen vast improvements in sewage issues, beach safety and water conservation. She lobbied successfully for a council grant to study and reduce pollution at Malabar Beach which resulted in its reopening to swimmers and divers.

FAIR GO

Arkan Yousef: A maths teacher in Iraq for 19 years before fleeing eight years ago, Arkan has been refused employment because he is vision impaired but has never given up his passion for teaching. He volunteers at Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre helping young refugees with their homework.

Sylvie Boutros: Born in West Africa, Sylvie has been committed to charity work since the age of 8 and is driven by a desire to make a difference. The working mum of two set up the non-profit Touch of Goodness Foundation to support cancer patients, feed the homeless and visit nursing homes.

Phuong Nguyen and Matthew Alberto: The pair created 3CK, a social enterprise to help Australian nonprofits fundraise and raise awareness and co-founded PeoplePledge, an online medical fundraising platform, to help families by raising funds to alleviate the financial burden of ongoing medical costs.

HEROISM

Thomas Puentes: When a 77-year-old man collapsed outside the Darlinghurst Fire Station last January, the young fireman raced to his aid and commenced resuscitation. His quick actions saved the man's life. This was the first time Thomas put into action his training in lifesaving procedures.

Detective Inspector Bryson Charles Anderson: Det Insp Anderson was attending a dispute when he was struck to the head with a knife and suffered cardiac arrest. He bravely protected his fellow officers before losing his life. This respected policeman and beloved family man paid the ultimate price in his service to NSW.

Bob Fenwick: As a firestorm tore through the Timor Valley, Rural Fire Service captain Bob Fenwick, 67, was among a handful of brave volunteers who drove headlong through the flames to save homes.

Bob's house was the first lost but he set about selflessly saving those of his neighbours.

INSPIRATION

Vicki Condon: Her Raise Foundation has now matched more than 700 young people in difficult circumstances with a mentor to offer weekly support and guidance. She developed and implemented a program for high schools and has trained counsellors to assist parenting ro pregnant young women.

Jihad Dib: This inspirational principal has spearheaded the remarkable turnaround of Punchbowl Boys' High School over the past seven years. School accolades include a National Literacy and Numeracy Award and Director General's Award and he takes youths to trek Kokoda and Sandakan.

Stephanie Croft: With the Northern Sydney Regional Council of P & C Associations she campaigned fiercely for government action to alleviate the overcrowding crisis at north shore schools. As a result of her efforts two new schools and 24 new classrooms will now be built easing the squeeze.

OUTSTANDING BRAVERY

Mark Taylor: Farmer Mark was first on the scene of a horrific accident. With one car engulfed in flames and the other about to erupt he raced to help the drivers and managed to drag one man to safety through the passenger door. His bravery reunited a young family with their husband and father.

Tim Hannan: When Tim saw a man fall off a cliff into the rough seas off Coogee he spared no thought for his own safety and jumped to the man's rescue. He shielded the man, who had two broken legs, from huge waves for more than 20 minutes until the arrival of a rescue helicopter.

Ethan Herring: The 19 year old Gundagai abattoir was driving home with a mate when they were involved in an accident. With the car on fire and suffering multiple injuries he showed bravery and presence of mind in a terrifying, life-threatening situation to drag his friend from the car to safety.

YOUNG LEADER

Hayden Banks: The 17-year-old player and team umpire with the AFL's Indigenous Kickstart program, Hayden's commitment and enthusiasm was rewarded with a tour of South Africa with the Boomerangs. A mentor to young umpires he is also a respected indigenous leader.

May Wong: With a string of impressive academic achievements this brilliant intern at Bankstown Hospital also devotes time every week to tutoring migrant students in English. May, 24, was recently awarded the Avant Doctors in Training Scholarship to continue research into kidney disease.

Arthur Alla: Two years ago the 24 year old started Red Earth Connections to bring together young people in cities with remote Aboriginal communities. He given a voice to Aboriginal Australia and given the future leaders of our nation the chance to understand the culture of traditional land owners.