Honouring the brave

The Governor of New South Wales and Patron of the Society, professor Marie Bashir AC, honoured the bravery of 31
heroes at the Royal Lifesaving Society’s awards night on December 7.

Held at Government House, the annual ceremony recognised those with outstanding initiative, expertise and empathy in applying life saving skills in emergency situations.

“This year, there were 31 recipients with the youngest just 11 years old. This goes to show how anyone can be a Community Lifesaver,” Mr Macallister said.

“It’s great to see so many Australians with the skills necessary to save a life”.

As well as honouring achievement among local community members, the ceremony celebrated law enforcement and
emergency services including the NSW Police Department, NSW Ambulance Service, NSW Fire Brigade and the NSW
Rural Fire Service.

CEO of Royal Life Saving New South Wales, David Macallister, said: “These extraordinary Australians perform these skills, often in stressful situations, sometimes with multiple casualties and frequently at risk to themselves.”

Among the recepients were brothers Liam, Brady and Blake Cox who used their water safety skills to save their youngest brother Lachlan.

Jenni Farquharson and Ana Cartman were presented with high commendations for quickly administering CPR in a
professional manner.

On March 8, 2011, Ms Cartman was swimming at her local pool when she noticed a figure floating in the water.

Despite being heavily pregnant Ms Cartman, along with Ms Farquharson, commenced CPR and continued until emergency services arrived.

Other winners include Wollongong City Council Lifeguards Chanan Clark, Conor Cleary and Senior Lifeguard John Boyle.

They rescued over 40 people when a large set of waves caused cyclone activity off the north coast of Australia.

By Georgia Fullerton