Three Victorians are among a 19 Australians who will receive bravery medals from the Governor-General today.
Adrian Rigby from Red Hill South on the Mornington Peninsula is being honoured for helping to rescue passengers trapped inside a sinking helicopter that crashed off the coast of Western Australia.
Mr Rigby was on a boat nearby when the accident happened.
He says one of the passengers he rescued was an 87-year-old woman.
“There was a failure somewhere within the engine and it started sort of nose-diving towards the water and towards, our boat,” he said.
“As soon as the chopper went in, we ran up in front of the boat and jumped in the water. And funny enough, the first thing my hand went to was her seatbelt.”
Ian Antonoff of Horsham, in western Victoria will be honoured for rescuing his neighbour from a burning house.
“Most people would do the same thing, you know, they wouldn’t think twice about it,” he said.
“I knew the house was well and truly alight, but when you hear someone call for help, you can’t not go back.”
Traralgon woman, Dee-Anne Mohi will also be honoured for rescuing her two sons from a burning house.