2024 Awards Investiture at Government House
The Ballroom at Government House, Sydney, venue for the presentation of the Society’s 2024 Bravery Awards.
Officers of the NSW Police Force who received the Society’s bravery awards at the 2024 investiture, with the Governor of NSW Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC.
Advisory: The following citations may cause distress.
Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of NSW, hosted the Society’s Annual Investiture at Government House on 21 November 2024.
Her Excellency presented 44 bravery awards: 4 Gold, 9 Silver and 20 Bronze Medals as well as 7 Certificates of Merit and 4 Letters of Commendation. 120 recipients and guests were in attendance.
GOLD MEDAL AND GALLEGHAN AWARD
Ms. Suzanne Stevens
SILVER MEDAL
Senior Constable Daniel Mahoney
CERTIFICATES OF MERIT
Senior Constable Brooke Thorne
Sergeant Nicholas Scheeringa
Senior Constable Conor Dewar
For saving the life of a boy being held hostage by an armed offender at Centenary Rd. South Wentworthville, on the afternoon of 26 July 2017
An adult female seized a schoolboy who had just alighted from a bus and held him to the ground with a knife at his throat threatening to kill him if anyone approached. Registered Nurse Suzanne Stevens arrived and commenced negotiations with the offender to defuse the situation while a large crowd started gathering. The offender was aggressive and agitated, and announced she had taken drugs and had to kill someone that day. Stevens kept negotiating for 10 minutes while the offender waved her knife at her and reiterated her intention to kill. Police arrived and positioned themselves around the offender. Senior Constable Thorne took over the negotiations while Senior Constable Mahoney crept up behind the offender, grabbed her hoodie and forced her to the ground where he and the other officers effected an arrest.
Case 2024.35
Senior Constable Conor Dewar, Sergeant Nicholas Sheeringa, Senior Constable Brooke Thorne, Senior Constable Daniel Mahoney and Ms Suzanne Stevens with Her Excellency the Governor. Suzanne was also nominated for the Royal Humane Society UK’s Stanhope Medal.
GOLD MEDAL
Mr Craig Paul
For rescuing a young resident in a house Fire at Yamba on the evening of 27 June 2023
Craig Paul was in bed when the house next door caught fire with the young resident trapped inside. He turned a garden hose on the flames and tried to enter the house but was driven back by heat and smoke. He then entered the house on his hands and knees with a torch and a jumper to protect his head from the intense heat, smoke and flames. He found the unconscious resident and dragged her to safety and then entered a third time to rescue her dog.
Case 2024.18
Mr Craig Paul receiving his award from Her Excellency the Governor of NSW
GOLD MEDALS
Station Officer Matthew Cooper
Senior Firefighter Paul Bladwell
CERTIFICATES OF MERIT
Inspector Nicholas Beattie
Senior Firefighter Roger Ghiggioli
For rescuing a young female from a house fire at North Albury on the morning of 11 November 2017
The Albury Central fire crew were called out to a small single-story house, that was 40 per cent alight with smoke down to floor level and a 16-year-old female trapped inside. Inspector Beattie determined that the situation was extremely dangerous however Leading Firefighter Cooper and Senior Fighter Bladwell unhesitatingly volunteered to enter the building at great personal risk. They successfully rescued the female, while Inspector Beattie Senior commanded and controlled the rescue and Senior Firefighter Ghiggioli supplied water, hose lines, breathing apparatus, logistics and communications.
Case 2024.19
Senior Firefighter Roger Ghiggioli, Inspector Nicholas Beattie, Senior Firefighter Paul Bladwell and Station Officer Matthew Cooper with Her Excellency the Governor.
SILVER MEDALS
Mr Heath Simpson
Mr Karrim McKittrick
Senior Constable Mark Norton
For defending an elderly couple from an armed assailant and arresting the offender, at Port Macquarie, on the morning of 7 February 2019
An elderly couple were stabbed multiple times by their son. The husband raised the alarm and both Heath Simpson and Karrim McKittrick and another neighbour ran into the house and administered first aid to the wife.. The offender reappeared and announced his intent to inflict further injury on his mother however Simpson, McKittrick and the other neighbour formed a human barricade to protect her from further harm. Senior Constable Mark Norton arrived, searched the house, and located the offender in the rear yard where he was about to set fire to the garage with petrol and a cigarette lighter. SC Norton then wrestled the offender to the ground and effected an arrest.
Case 2024.39
Heath Simpson, Karim McKittrick and Senior Constable Mark Norton with her Excellency the Governor.
SILVER MEDAL
Mr. Robert (Bob) Glasson
For rescuing a woman in a strong rip at Little Garie beach on the afternoon of 13 March 2024
A young woman was caught in a strong rip at the southern end of Little Garie beach and her friend on the shore started screaming for help. Bob Glasson, an 84-year-old life member of the Garie Surf Life Saving Club, was the only person within earshot. He immediately went to the woman’s assistance and brought her safely to shore.
Case 2024.03
Mr Robert (Bob) Glasson receiving his award from Her Excellency the Governor of NSW.
SILVER MEDAL
Senior Constable Richard Hansen
For the rescue of 3 people from a vehicle trapped in floodwater, Lyons Road, Bingleburra via Dungog on the morning of Thursday 22 September 2022
A car entered a flooded causeway and stalled in the fast flowing water with the three occupants trapped inside. Senior Constable Hansen attended the accident, entered the water and carried one adult and a child to safety. He then connected his vehicle’s winch cable to the car to stabilize it and removed the other adult who was medically incapacitated.
Case 2024.34
Senior Constable Richard Hansen receiving his award from Her Excellency the Governor of NSW.
SILVER MEDAL
Mr Braden Rodgers
BRONZE MEDALS
Ms Matisse Maskey
Ms Deanna Stolzenburg
Senior Constable Simon Harmer
For the rescue of a mother and a child and attempted rescue of 2 other children from a house fire at Singleton on the night of 26 June 2019
A mother and her 4 children were trapped when their house caught fire. Deanna Stoltzenburg and Matisse Maskey rescued the mother and one child through a hall window. Maskey and Braden Rogers attempted to enter the house search for the other children but were driven back by heat and smoke. Rogers and Senior Constable Harmer each attempted to enter the house but were again driven back. While Harmer searched for another entry point an overhead powerline broke and he stationed himself near the fallen wire to prevent emergency services personnel from injury.
Case 2024.38
Ms Deanna Stolzenburg, Ms Matisse Maskey, Mr Braden Rogers and Senior Constable Simon Harmer with Her Excellency the Governor.
SILVER MEDALS
Senior Constable Mathew Bailey
Senior Constable Tymon Hughes
LETTERS OF COMMENDATION
Senior Constable Cameron Lock
Sergeant Ben Beach
Senior Constable Chad Brown
Senior Constable Andrew Hyde
For the attempted rescue of a male from a submerged vehicle off Brunswick boat ramp on the afternoon of 14 May 2022
A car drove off a boat ramp into the Brunswick River and sank in swiftly flowing, muddy water 40 metres from shore. Senior Constables Bailey and Hughes swam to the vehicle, dived repeatedly and smashed a window but were unable to locate any occupants. Sergeant Beach commandeered a kayak and paddled out to assist. Senior Constables Lock, Hyde and Brown commandeered a tow truck to winch the vehicle out of the water. When the vehicle was brought ashore the driver was slumped across the front seats and unresponsive.
Case 2024.37
Senior Constable Cameron Lock, Senior Constable Andrew Hyde, Senior Constable Chad Brown, Senior Constable Tymon Hughes, Senior Constable Mathew Bailey and Sergeant Ben Beach with Her Excellency the Governor.
BRONZE MEDAL
Mr Dean Rossit
For rescuing a father and son from the surf at Austinmer Beach at noon on 11 April 2023
A man and his 12-year-old son were caught in a rip and swept out to where large waves were breaking. Dean Rossit, a former surf lifesaver who happened to be driving by, ran down the unpatrolled beach, dived in and swam to their rescue. He rescued the boy, and when an undertow swept the man near a rock platform, rescued him as well.
Case 2024.01
Mr Dean Rossit receiving his award from Her Excellency the Governor of NSW.
BRONZE MEDAL
Mr Riley Vaughan
For rescuing a boy in heavy surf at Burning Palms beach on the afternoon of 3 March 2024
A boy was swept out in a rip in heavy surf. Riley Vaughan, an off-duty lifesaver, ran 500 metres to the surf club, which was locked, and found only a discarded, damaged foam surfboard with which to effect a rescue. He paddled out to where the boy had been struck by a large wave and was struggling to stay afloat, helped him on to the board and paddled him back to the beach.
Case 2024.02
Mr Riley Vaughan receiving his award from Her Excellency the Governor of NSW.
BRONZE MEDALS
Mr Robert McFarland
Mr Sonny Barnett
For the rescue of a woman in a flooded creek at The Boulevarde, Holsworthy, on the evening of 2 July 2022
A woman was trapped in chest-deep, swift-flowing flood waters and was clinging desperately to a tree. Sonny Barnett, an SES volunteer, swam towards her but the current swept him away. Robert McFarland, also an SES volunteer reached her, placed a personal flotation device on her and supported her for approximately 30 minutes until a boat crew arrived.
Case 2024.07
Mr Robert McFarland and Mr Sonny Barnett receiving their award from Her Excellency the Governor of NSW.
BRONZE MEDAL
Mr John McCloghry
For the evacuation of Fisherman’s Paradise township during the Currowan bushfires, on 31 December 2019
A major bushfire front was rapidly approaching the town of Fisherman’s Paradise at Lake Conjola on the southern NSW coast. Acting alone, SES Volunteer John McCloghry raised the alarm as smoke and embers blew through the town. He then stationed himself at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and the access road to the town and directed distraught residents to head north as the fire had cut the highway to the south.
Case 2024.11
Mr John McCloghry receiving his award from Her Excellency the Governor of NSW.
BRONZE MEDALS
Firefighter Jason O’Neill
Firefighter Robert Christian (unable to be present)
For the rescue of two children in a fire at Batlow on the morning of 18 May 2020
Firefighters O’Neill and Christian entered a house that was 80% alight with the roof already collapsing and hose lines not functioning correctly. They were told twin children were in a bedroom but they could not be found. They searched the lounge room and hallway which were fully involved in the fire, found the children in another bedroom and removed them to safety.
Case 2024.20
Firefighter Jason O’Neill receiving his award from Her Excellency the Governor of NSW
BRONZE MEDAL
On-call Firefighter Adoni Maalouf
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Ms Lisa Pulko
For rescuing a girl from a house fire at Wentworth Falls on the afternoon of 8 July 2023
Firefighter Maalouf went to the assistance of his neighbour Ms Lisa Pulko, whose house was on fire with her daughter trapped inside. He tried to enter through the front door but was driven back by smoke and flames. Ms Pulko broke the glass of the front window in order for her daughter to escape but the girl retreated back inside the house. Maalouf tried to climb through the window but was again driven back by the heat and smoke. Ms Pulko then used her mobile phone to guide the girl back to the window, where Maalouf lifted her to safety.
Case 2024.17
Mr Adoni Maalouf and Ms Lisa Pulko receiving their award from Her Excellency the Governor of NSW.
BRONZE MEDALS
Chief Inspector William McKenna
Senior Constable Simon Alexander
Senior Constable Thomas Knight (unable to be present)
For the rescue of the driver of a submerged Vehicle in the Richmond River at Ballina on the evening of 2 September 2020
A vehicle entered the Richmond River and sank approximately 15 metres from the shore with only its rear visible above the waterline with the driver trapped inside. Officers Alexander, Knight and McKenna removed their appointment belts, vests, shoes, and shirts, and swam to the vehicle. Senior Constable Alexander managed to smash the rear window with a Police baton to gain access. All three officers took turns diving into the vehicle, the driver eventually being located and brought to the surface. The operation lasted 20 minutes in cold, dark water with poor visibility and a strong current. Officers Alexander and Knight suffered oyster cuts when carrying the victim from the water.
Case 2024.32
Senior Constable Simon Alexander and Chief Inspector William McKenna with Her Excellency the Governor
BRONZE MEDALS
Former Senior Constable Aaron Weatherley
Senior Constable David Campbell
Senior Constable David Richards (unable to be present)
Mr Joshua Crowe
Mr Mark Savage
For the rescue of a person trapped in a vehicle in a flood at Yippen Creek on Beechwood Road, Wauchope on the evening of 19 March 2021
A car was swept off Beechwood Road by floodwaters and started to sink with the driver trapped inside. Officers Weatherley, Campbell and Richards attended the accident and together with Joshua Crowe and Mark Savage attempted to open the vehicle doors without success. Weatherley managed to smash the driver’s window just as the vehicle was almost submerged but the flood then carried it further away where it sank completely. Another Police Officer drove their vehicle into the flood in an attempt to winch the car to safety. Meanwhile, Crowe managed to open the driver’s door and he and Weatherley pulled the driver free.
Case 2024.33
Mark Savage, Joshua Crowe, Mrs Michelle Campbell, widow of Senior Constable David Campbell, and former Senior Constable Aaron Weatherley with Her Excellency the Governor.
BRONZE MEDALS
Sergeant John Condon
Mr. Alexsandar Ploskov
For the rescue of a person trapped in a burning vehicle at Glenwood on the morning of 23 July 2020
A burning car veered off the road and collided with a large rock. Sergeant Condon, who was off duty smashed several windows releasing large quantities of black smoke. Alaxandar Ploskov, a bystander, reached inside and despite the heat and smoke, opened the rear door and both men extracted the driver.
Case 2024.36
Sergeant John Condon and Mr Alexsandar Ploskov receiving their awards from Her Excellency the Governor of NSW.
CERTIFICATES OF MERIT
Ms. Elyse Riordan
Ms. Fiona Butlin (unable to attend)
For the attempted rescue of the driver of a vehicle trapped in a flood at Audley Weir on the afternoon of 9 February 2023
Rising flood waters at Audley Weir trapped a number of vehicles and cut roads into the Royal National Park preventing rescue crews from reaching the scene. The water level was rising 10cm every few minutes and a car was balanced precariously on the weir with the driver trapped inside. Elyse Riordan and Fiona Butlin, both qualified SES In-Water Flood Rescue Operators, launched a raft in a rescue attempt but the driver managed to escape from the vehicle and swim to safety.
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Ms Elyse Riordan receiving her award from Her Excellency the Governor of NSW. Photo by Rob Tuckwell Photography.
All photos by Rob Tuckwell Photography.
