General News
26 August, 2020
Two Cairns residents recognised for bravery
Cairns Regional Council Councillor, Brett Moller was one of two Cairns residents recognised for bravery.
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, congratulated Brett Moller along with Cairns police officer, John Dijkstra and Townsville truck driver Glen Hardy for their selfless actions in rescuing people trapped in flood water.
“In times of crisis, we know the willingness of Queenslanders to lend a helping hand when confronted by accidents and natural disasters,” the Premier said.
“And above and beyond that, extraordinary individuals step up and reach out to those in peril – some even risking their own life to save the life of a stranger.
“Sadly, we’re all too familiar with torrential rain and flood events in our State, and understand the dangers.
“The latest round of Australian Bravery Decorations honours three Queenslanders who risked their own safety in treacherous waters, to rescue those in immediate danger.
“I know all Queenslanders will join me in congratulating our Australian Bravery Award recipients, celebrating their outstanding deeds of compassion and self-sacrifice.”
Councillor Moller has received a Bravery Medal for his rescue of a young woman from a vehicle submerged in floodwaters near Aloomba in 2018.
Mr Moller was at home on the evening of 29 December 2018 when he noticed the headlights of a car bobbing in a nearby creek, followed by urgent calls for help.
Asking his family to get torches and ropes, Mr Moller waded into the creek’s dark, fast-flowing water, encouraging the stranded woman to release her grip from a tree branch and swim with the current toward the bank.
Swimming from branch to branch, the woman eventually gained her footing and was comforted by Mr Moller and his family until emergency services arrived.
Mr Hardy received a Commendation for Brave Conduct for helping to rescue and relocate 60 men, women and children from the suburb of Idalia during the city’s flood event in February 2019.
Senior Constable Dijkstra also received a Commendation for Brave Conduct, acknowledging his role in the rescue of a bus driver who was stuck inside a submerged vehicle in a crocodile-inhabited creek in Cairns on 23 September 2018.
The three Queensland recipients were among 29 Australians to be honoured with Australian Bravery Decorations by Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd).
The Australian Bravery Decorations Council – an independent advisory body – meets twice a year to consider nominations for awards and make recommendations to the Governor-General.
Anyone may nominate another person for an Australian Bravery Decoration. For more information, visit www.gg.gov.auor www.itsanhonour.gov.au.
Queensland recipients:
Bravery Medal
(For acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances)
Mr William Brett Moller – Aloomba, Queensland
Commendation for Brave Conduct:
(For acts of bravery considered worthy of recognition)
Senior Constable John William Dijkstra – Queensland Police Service
Mr Glen Aaron Hardy – Stuart, Queensland
