Royal Life Saving WA presents 2019 Bravery Awards

Outstanding acts of bravery in Western Australia have been recognised today at the 2019 Royal Life Saving Bravery Awards.

45 heroic individuals were honoured during a ceremony hosted at the State Reception Centre in Kings Park, attended by Western Australian Governor Kim Beazley.

Royal Life Saving WA accepts nominations for the Bravery Awards throughout the year, to identify and reward people in the community who have taken extraordinary actions to save, or attempt to save, another person’s life.

This year, the Awards acknowledging a wide variety of individuals, including children and adults, who have performed acts from in water rescues, through to performing life-saving first aid on the road side.

Advising that each award recipient displayed exceptional courage, empathy and initiative by applying lifesaving skills in emergency situations and sometimes at risk to themselves, Royal Life Saving WA, Chief Executive Peter Leaversuch stated “these individuals are an excellent example to all Western Australians and show how vitally important it is to obtain lifesaving skills.

“They’ve applied their skills to save another’s life, showing bravery and commitment in doing so, and deserve our highest recognition.”

The recent Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report revealed that more than 60% of Western Australia’s drowning deaths occurred in the warmer months of spring and summer during 2018/19. Mindful of the approaching summer, Leaversuch added “as we enjoy the warmer weather at this time of the year, I encourage everyone to think about how they might, in their own way, contribute to drowning prevention, and saving lives.

“It may be to improve your own skills in CPR, first aid or rescue, to raise awareness amongst your family, friends or workplace, or to help someone in need.”

Everyone can be a lifesaver.”

Recipients of the 2019 Royal Life Saving Bravery Awards

Gold Star - Teams
Leschenault Leisure Centre staff - Ryan Sanders, Samantha Hooper, David Snelling and Kellie Holm (Gold Star) Angie Stonard and Shelby Pinner (Bravery Commendation)
Performed an aquatic rescue, CPR and application of AED on a patron found unconscious in the pool. Interestingly the AED that was used had been donated to the centre by the victim, Ian Went, 10 years earlier.
Leschenault Leisure Centre - October 2018

Fremantle Leisure Centre staff - Jessica Cannon, Jasmine Shepherd, Georgia Ray and James Annetts
Performed an aquatic rescue and provided first aid when a patron experienced a seizure in the pool.
Fremantle Leisure Centre - March 2019

Andrew Brown, James Annett and Hamish Williams (Gold Star) Josh Taraia and Kim Vang Thi Huynh (Bravery Commendation)
Performed an aquatic rescue, CPR and AED on a patron who suffered a heart attack in the pool.
Beatty Park Leisure Centre - May 2019

Jack Tuckett and Scott Chilcott (Gold Star) and Maithili Patel (Bravery Commendation)
Responded when an infant had a seizure at the centre, by providing first aid and phoning emergency services.
Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre - December 2018

Gold Star - Individuals
Narelle Holt 
Holt, an Aquatic Centre Manager, responded when a patron experienced a heart attack. Treated with defib, O2 and called emergency services.
Aqualife Victoria Park - May 2019

Mackenzie Summers (six years old)
Mackenzie’s grandmother tripped in the dark of the carpark and broke several bones.

Mackenzie phoned the ambulance and her mother, made her grandmother comfortable and kept reassuring her until the ambulance arrived.
Underground carpark, Cockburn - September 2018

Ethan de Coning (11 years old)
Ethan pulled his two-year-old sister, Jordyn, from a home pool, alerted his dad and then called the ambulance.
Home pool, Rockingham - January 2019

Seth Eade (nine years old)
Seth’s younger brother, Kade, got into difficulty in the water and Seth swam to his aid, holding his head above water until adults arrived to assist
Lake Leschenaultia - March 2019

Jayce Vassiliou (four years old)
Jayce rescued his five-year-old cousin, Kortney, who had fallen under water, and alerted adults.
Swimming pool, Crown Hotel - November 2018

Gold Medallion
Ella Andrews (seven years old)
Daniel Crook
Karla Goy
Joshua Wilkes
Megan Larmour (age 16)
Louise Joesbury
Joe Broadbent
Cathryne Casarsa
Melissa Grey
Tony Morgan
Samantha Laine
Ryan Sanders
David MacLennan
Tim Tucak
Susie Kitchin
Emma Morton
Amanda Brown

Award winners image courtesy of Royal Life Saving WA.