The moment that almost cost Rod Patterson his life

Aussie Rod Patterson is one of 46 “exceptional” people to be recognised for their courage, resilience and determination with a bravery award — but he would rather not be receiving it.

Being brave can come at a very high price.

Take Rod Patterson.

He was shopping with wife Maree, in Melbourne’s Bourke St, one afternoon in November, 2018.

She went into JB Hi-Fi to check out computers; Patterson stood on the street on the phone to a mate in Dubbo.

He didn’t think when a car exploded nearby; he reacted.

The ex-fireman ran to the fire, thinking he would try to yank out a poor person inside.

Rodney Patterson was shopping with his wife Maree when he was attacked. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Instead, after finding the car empty, a crazed assailant lunged at him from his left side.

The knife wound to Patterson’s head was 14cm long and ripped four layers of muscle and an artery. He fell to the street, fearing another assault.

Maree joined him and urged her husband to keep breathing. A stranger lent his jumper to slow the bleeding.

“Maree and I said goodbye to each other that day,” he said.

Almost six years later, after the sleeplessness and unwelcome changes to his perspective on life, Patterson is very clear about his experiences.

He will receive an Australian Bravery Decoration, as announced by the Governor-General, this week, one of 46 “exceptional” people to be recognised for their courage, resilience and determination.

But Patterson would rather not be receiving a bravery award – because “I wish I was somewhere else that day”.

It’s not uncommon for bravery recipients to have preferred that the events for which they are recognised never happened.

Rodney and Maree Patterson in hospital as he recovered. Picture: Supplied

Recipients include those who sought to save people in rough seas in Victoria and NSW, tried to save those trapped in house fires, and Nicholas Abussi, an ambulance officer who treated a shooting victim near Gatton in Queensland in 2017 – as gunshots continued to ring out.

Another recipient, Steven Apthorp, from NSW’s south coast, will receive a commendation for brave conduct. He was on the Dreamworld river rapids ride in October, 2016, when two rafts collided and four people were killed.

He helped his own family off their raft, before helping two children from an upturned raft, before giving CPR to a woman floating face down in the water.

He has described the fallout, including PTSD, since those events and was this week reluctant to speak about his award and the brave choices which led to it.

Like Mr Patterson, Mr Apthorp said he wished he hadn’t been there. He “wouldn’t wish what I’ve gone through on anyone”.

Mr Patterson said he is not who he once was.

Flowers were laid in tribute for the passing of Sisto Malaspina in the attack. Picture: Michael Klein

He had built and thrived as an Autobahn franchisee in Launceston for decades. But trying to work after the attack did not go well.

Court cases for compensation have dragged into this year.

His relationship with his wife, Maree – a “bloody warrior” – has been tested. He marvelled at Maree’s strength – “she’s got her trauma, and she carries mine”.

“(I’m) not sure how I would have got through it without my magnificent family, especially my wife,” Mr Patterson said.

There have been silver linings, such as an enduring friendship with David, the son of Sisto Malaspina, the beloved restaurateur killed in the attack. He and Maree have also stayed close to a wounded security guard, Shardi, and his wife.

“We share something that many people, although they want to, cannot understand,” he says.

The Pattersons have left Tasmania and moved to Torquay on Victoria’s surf coast.

There, they can be with their children Todd and Lisa, as well as a new granddaughter Harper.

The bravery award is nice, Patterson said, but it also amplifies the memories.

“I can talk about it,” he said. “I just can’t live it very well.”