Governor-General award for brave girls
BY EVA TEJSZERSKI AND EMMA PARTRIDGE
TWO schoolgirls who saved a family from drowning were among Australia’s bravest heroes, as recognised in this year’s Governor-General’s Awards.
If it were not for their quick actions, the three people they rescued would surely have faced death.
Ashleigh Flanagan of Oatley and Joanna Stavrou of Beverley Park are among 41 national recipients of the Australian Bravery Awards.
The annual honours list celebrates heroic actions of people who have put others’ safety above their own.
The Australian Bravery Decorations Council made recommendations to the Governor-General on who should be included on the list.
The pair’s impressive effort was
also rewarded at state level last year and now they have received ‘‘commendation awards for brave conduct’’.
Ashleigh and Joanna, year 11 students at St George Christian School Hurstville, remember that day all too well.
They were on a school camp at Wairo Beach on the south coast in late 2010 when they saw a distressed girl who told them three members of her family were in trouble in the rough surf.
Ashleigh and Joanna then paddled out on a surfboard and brought them back ashore.
‘‘It happened so fast,’’ Joanna,
16, said. ‘‘We saw the little girl, then it was all over.’’
The experience certainly comes in handy at Wanda where Joanna is a volunteer lifesaver.
‘‘Luckily, I haven’t had to do that kind of rescue since,’’ she said.
Ashleigh, 16, said she would never forget when they had reached shore. ‘‘It was weird because I didn’t have any adrenaline rush,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s overwhelming to get the award. I couldn’t have done it without Joanna.’’
