Two Gilmore residents have been recognized by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC for their bravery and courage.
Lisa Whitbourn of Kiama and Steven Apthorp from Ulladulla were among 46 Australians honoured with Australian Bravery Decorations announced by the Governor-General yesterday (Tuesday 13 August).
“I would like to congratulate today’s recipients of Australian Bravery Decorations,” the Governor-General said.
“Australian Bravery Decorations honour those Australians who put themselves in danger to protect the lives or property of others.
“Recipients come from different parts of our country and diverse backgrounds. They are connected by their selfless, courageous, resilient and determined response in extraordinary circumstances.”
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips has congratulated Mrs Whitbourn and Mr Apthorp on receiving the Commendation for Brave Conduct.
Mr Apthorp has also been honoured with the Group Bravery Citation for his actions after two rafts collided on a water ride at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, Queensland on 25 October 2016.
In the early afternoon, Mr Apthorp was on the Thunder River Rapids ride with his family at Dreamworld when the raft they were in became stuck on the conveyor belt and another raft collided into it and upturned, throwing passengers into the water and conveyor belt below.
Mr Apthorp helped his family and other uninjured persons out of the raft to safety and told his family he was going back to help those in the upturned raft.
He jumped down onto the conveyer, entered the water and grabbed a woman who was floating face down in the water. He turned her over, checked her airways and gave her CPR. Mr Apthorp assisted two others to get the woman out of the water.
Bystanders waiting in line for the ride, and passengers already on board, rushed to assist, entered the water and attempted to revive those thrown from the raft. Children were removed from the immediate area and taken to safety. Four people tragically died as a result of the incident.
Mrs Whitbourn was awarded the Commendation for Brave Conduct for her actions during the rescue of a man in Merewether, New South Wales on 25 December 2022.
Shortly before 6pm on Christmas Day, Mrs Whitbourn was at a beach with her family when she saw three young men being dragged out in a strong rip, with one further out than the others.
The two closer men were rescued by bystanders and returned to shore, while Mrs Whitbourn ran into the water and swam to the man who was being carried out into deep water.
When she reached the man, he was completely underwater. She dove down to get him back to the surface and then tried to get the man to float on his back, but he panicked and pushed her under the water.
Mrs Whitbourn pushed away, and tried to swim back a number of times, but on each occasion a wave would hit, causing the man to panic and attempt to grab onto her.
She was eventually able to get the man to float on his back while she supported him. After a short while, more people arrived with boogie boards to help.
Mrs Whitbourn and the others got the man onto the boogie board and took him back to shore.
Mrs Phillips said the bravery of Mr Apthorp and Mrs Whitbourn was “inspiring”.
“These exceptional individuals will forever know they have earned the gratitude of the families of those they helped,” she said.
“On behalf of all Australians, and the Gilmore community, I congratulate Lisa and Steven and thank them for their bravery and selfless actions during such traumatic circumstances.
“It takes a special kind of person to jump in and act in the way they did, and they are extraordinary humans who thoroughly deserve this honour.”
Six Bravery Medals, 33 Commendation for Brave Conduct and two Group Bravery Citations for six people were awarded, and two people were added to previously announced awards.
More information about Australian Bravery Decorations is available at www.gg.gov.au.
Media Contacts:
GG - [email protected] or 0428 116 523
Fiona Phillips – Katrina Condie 0437 662 967
