Andrew Barr has the happy news of locals picking up bravery gongs:
Among those praised were Canberra couple Mr Jason Roff and Mrs Jodie Roff. In April 2009 the pair spotted smoke coming from a house as they drove down Langdon Avenue in Wanniassa. They pulled over and
Mr Roff called triple zero as they ran into the house where they found two elderly occupants struggling to save their personal possessions and find their cat.
The occupants were initially reluctant to leave but Mr and Mrs Roff were able to convince them to vacate the premises and get to safety not long before the house was engulfed in flames.
The Roffs were both awarded a Commendation for Brave Conduct as a result of their actions.
Also honoured was ACT resident, Navy Commander Scott Palmer. During the 2011 Queensland floods
Commander Palmer was on the crew of a Navy Sea King Helicopter undertaking evacuations when they spotted a man being swept along Laidley Creek.
The crew initially attempted a winch rescue, lowering a team member down within three feet of the man, but were unable to grab hold of him. The stricken man was then able to pull himself out of the water and into a tree canopy, which allowed a crew member to be lowered into the tree and connect the man to a harness so he could be lifted to safety. Commander Palmer was honoured with a Group Bravery Citation.
Loading ...
