Whether through adrenaline, instinct or the basic human intuition, the most devastating moments bring out the best in people.
The Governor-General has announced 37 Australians and first responders will be honoured for their brave efforts in moments of need, the most recipients of the Australian Bravery decorations than any year before.
“The exceptional people we honour today answered a call to defend and protect with unforeseen courage,” Ms Mostyn said on Monday.
“Through their actions they tell us we all matter and that all our lives are precious.
“We deeply thank and pay respect to these remarkable, brave Australians who will always have our enduring gratitude and admiration.”
Camera IconGovernor-General Sam Mostyn has announced the latest recipients of Australian bravery awards. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia
For the first time in the awards’ 50-year history, the announcement of bravery award recipients has been made on Wattle Day, the country’s national floral emblem.
“I am delighted the Australian Bravery Decorations Council has determined Wattle Day is a special moment to recognise and celebrate the bravery of 37 Australians,” Ms Mostyn said.
“Today is a time to reflect on the qualities of resilience, courage, care, kindness, and respect, all intrinsic to the recipients.”
Among the recipients are Michael Schmidt and Rydell Murray, who were “just trying to help a fellow human being” when they ran into a burning house to try to save their neighbours.
Ashley Walker, whose efforts helping a pilot and his wife after a plane crash was done without a second thought, was equally modest.
“Any attempt on saving anyone’s life is better than no attempt,” Mr Walker said.
Michael Schmidt and Rydell Murray – Commendation for Brave Conduct
The first thing Michael Schmidt remembers was the banging on his door about 9.30pm at his Acacia Ridge home in southside Brisbane in 2020.
It was neighbour Rydell Murray alerting him to a fire across the street at the house of their other neighbours, Josie and Ricky Reid.
“We ran over and went straight in, found Josie right down the end of the hallway standing against the wall,” Mr Schmidt recalled.
Adrenaline, and years of service as a volunteer in the bushfire brigade in the 1980s, kicked in.
He instructed his neighbour to wait out in the lounge room, while he ran down the hallway past the fire, grabbed Ms Reid and brought her back for Mr Murray to take outside.
“I went back in for Ricky. The flames pushed me back away from him, so I came around the other side of the hose and hosed the window to make the glass blow out.”
Still instructing while acting, the now 62-year-old asked another neighbour to bring fire extinguishers, as he battled and slowly took charge of the flames in hopes of rescuing Mr Reid.
Camera IconRydell Murray (R) alerted neighbour Michael Schmidt (L) to the burning house, with both rushing in. Supplied. Credit: Supplied
“The firemen showed up and they had very little of the fire to deal with, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to get Ricky out.”
Neighbours for more than 12 years, the pair were close, but the last memory Mr Schmidt has of his friend is a man on fire.
“It’s our little community up here, we look out for each other.”
For Mr Murray, his reason for helping was simple
“Just trying to help a fellow human being, that’s what it’s about,” he said.
More than five years on the pair remember the moment clearly with sadness, but are honoured to be awarded the Commendation for Brave Conduct, and say it was all worth it,” Mr Schmidt said.
“I’m just glad I was able to help. I was over the moon getting a commissioner’s commendation from the fire brigade.
“Now this has come along, it really blew me away. I wasn’t expecting this at all.”
Ashley Walker – Group Bravery Citation
Ashley Walker was driving in Mudgee in central western NSW with his daughter more than 10 years ago when they noticed a plane travelling close to the ground before crashing.
“We were in pretty close proximity and thought that it was in trouble, so we turned around,” he recalled.
The family were the first on the scene, but after smelling aviation fuel Mr Walker moved his car further back to protect his family before rushing in.
Spotting the broken bubble window in the front that had popped off, he found a male pilot slumped forward, beside his wife.
After others bystanders Donald Coombes and David Ribaux arrived, they worked to free the couple and remove them from the wreckage, before emergency services arrived and took over.
Camera IconAshley Walker with wife Lib, daughters Neve and Anna. Mr Walker was driving through Mudgee when he notice the low flying plane and turned the car around. Supplied. Credit: Supplied
Despite their help, neither survived.
The moment seemed like a lifetime for Mr Walker. Looking back now, it was the 10 minutes that changed everything.
The trio on Monday received the Group Bravery Citation, but Mr Walker said he was just doing what anyone would have in the moment.
“I don’t know what kicks in. I think it must be adrenaline or something, but you just all of a sudden do what you’ve got to do and remember the first aid training that you’ve done previously to keep those people going,” he said.
“I would just say to anyone, when you face a tragedy or an accident, don’t be afraid to step up.
“As human beings, this is what we do to help each other out.”
