What started as a regular late afternoon stroll along the beach with his dog last April turned into a dramatic sea rescue for Tim Gaunt of Killcare.
Gaunt is one of 22 Australians who will receive a Commendation for Brave Conduct from Governor-General David Hurley later this year.
At 5.30pm on April 19, 2022, Gaunt, an off-duty firefighter, was walking along Killcare Beach when he noticed a young girl in difficulties adjacent a rock platform out to sea.
“It was just after Easter and my dog Billy, a kelpie/border collie cross, and I were walking along the beach as we often do in the late afternoon,” he said.
“I noticed a teenage girl stuck in a rip at the southern end of beach.
“She had her hand up and her Dad was standing on the beach not knowing what to do.
“He seemed to be frozen with shock and I asked him if I should help.
“He said yes so I told my dog to stay and dived into the water.”
After reaching the young girl, Gaunt first calmed her down.
“She was quite distressed when I reached her, but I got her to take some deep breaths and we swam north a little and then made our way into shore,” he said.
“We got pounded by the waves quite a bit on the way in.
“When we were about halfway into shore, a couple of teenage boys who had been bodyboarding realised what was happening and swam over to us, offering one of their boards.
“I got the young girl on to the board and we got a bit more smashed by the waves, but by then we were close enough in that the waves helped wash us ashore.”
Gaunt said the young girl seemed “embarrassed but relieved” when they finally reached the beach and was not in need of medical assistance.
“Her Dad was still in shock, I think,” he said.
“He was obviously not a confident swimmer and English wasn’t his first language, but he shook my hand and I just kept on walking my dog.”
Gaunt said he was left a little shaken by the episode.
“I had to take a few deep calming breaths myself,” he said.
“Adrenaline takes over at the time and a bit of shock sets in afterwards.”
Gaunt told his girlfriend about the incident and thought little more about it.
He believes he was nominated for a bravery commendation by a doctor who happened to be on the beach at the time and asked for his details afterwards.
“To be nominated for a commendation was really a pleasant surprise,” he said.
“It is a great honour.”
Gaunt is no stranger to life-threatening situations as a Fire and Rescue NSW fireman working out of Guildford station.”
As for Billy the dog – he was quite unfazed by the dramatic events.
“He’s used to me telling him to stay while I go for a surf,” Gaunt said.
“He was quite happy playing with his stick the whole time.”
As well as 22 bravery commendations, the Governor-General also announced 11 Australian Bravery Medal recipients and six Group Bravery Citations.
“Today we recognise and celebrate the bravery of 66 people who put themselves in danger to help others,” he said.
“The courage they showed is matched by their selflessness and they deserve our respect, gratitude and recognition.”
More information about Australian Bravery Decorations is available at www.gg.gov.au
Terry Collins