THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY OF AUSTRALASIA
Honouring Heroes at Queensland Investiture Ceremony

Brisbane, QLD

On 17 May 2024 at 12:45 PM, the Royal Humane Society of Australasia (RHSA) will honour Queensland's bravest at the annual Investiture Ceremony. This significant event will be hosted at Brisbane's historic Town Hall by the Society’s Vice-President, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, The Right Honourable Councillor Adrian Schrinner, and will also be attended by the Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, who serves as Patron. Top officials from The Queensland Police Service and other dignitaries will be present to celebrate a legacy of bravery and compassion in our community.

The ceremony will recognise individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary bravery, going above and beyond in their acts of courage to save others. This year, the RHSA will award Bronze Medals to three remarkable Australians for their acts of heroism.

This year’s honourees include:

Police Officers Anthony Poole and Adam See will receive Bronze Medals for their daring rescue of a trapped woman from a burning vehicle in Townsville. On 16 March 2021, the officers responded to a severe accident where a car had crashed. Demonstrating exceptional courage, Officers Poole and See executed a perilous rescue, saving the driver from the vehicle moments before it was completely destroyed. Their quick actions and bravery under pressure averted what could have been a tragic outcome.

Jarrod Michael, a public servant and veteran peer support officer, will also be honoured with a Bronze Medal. Jarrod’s decisive actions prevented a tragedy in Heyfield, Victoria, when he intervened to stop a man from self-immolation. His quick thinking and leadership ensured the safety of all involved, showcasing his commitment to public safety.

David Arden, President of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia, expressed his admiration for the awardees, stating:

'These individuals exemplify the courage, compassion and selflessness that the Royal Humane Society stands for. Their actions are a powerful reminder of the profound impact one person can have on our community. As we continue to uphold these values, this ceremony serves to honour these heroes who exemplify the best of the human spirit.'

As the RHSA approaches its 150th anniversary this year, the ceremony not only recognises acts of valour but also reinforces our enduring commitment to fostering a culture of bravery and compassion. Throughout our 150-year legacy, the Society has remained steadfast in celebrating and supporting those who perform extraordinary acts of heroism, having honoured nearly 9,000 brave individuals since our inception in 1874.

The RHSA invites the press to attend this significant event to witness the recognition of true Australian heroes. Media representatives wishing to cover the ceremony are kindly requested to confirm their attendance in advance with Shelley Schade, Secretary, and arrive 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the ceremony.

Event Details:

Date: 17 May 2024
Start: 12:45 PM for a 1:00 PM start
Conclusion: 2:00 PM
Location: Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane, QLD

For more information about the Royal Humane Society of Australasia and the acts of bravery being recognised, please visit www.rhsa.org.au or email bravery@rhsa.org.au.

Contact:
Shelley Schade - Secretary
(03) 9125 4408
bravery@rhsa.org.au

Medals and Certificates of Merit - Awarded 2022-2023

Official Citations

Bronze Medal – Senior Constable Anthony Poole
Bronze Medal – Constable Adam See

On 16 March 2021, a dramatic rescue occurred when a woman's car crashed and caught fire in Townsville, Qld. At 5:00 PM, the driver lost control of her vehicle, which struck a rock face and came to rest against a small tree. The conditions that day were clear and sunny, and the road was dry and sealed.

SC Poole and C See were the first to arrive at the scene. They found the vehicle in a gully next to a rock face, with major front-end damage and smoke emanating from the bonnet. The driver was conscious but trapped, slumped over the steering wheel. The impact of the crash had forced the steering column into the dashboard, pinning her between the seat and the steering wheel.

Due to the damage, the driver's side pillars of the roof were bent, complicating access to the driver. SC Poole and C See were unable to turn off the engine, and as the smoke thickened and fumes intensified, the vehicle suddenly caught alight.

With QAS paramedics yet to arrive and the situation escalating, the officers were compelled to act swiftly to save the driver. They used force to pry open the rear door on the driver’s side and lowered the driver’s seat to aid in the extraction. As flames grew and moved towards the driver, the officers forcibly pulled her back into the rear seat to dislodge her from the dashboard. This manoeuvre provided enough room to extract her through the back seat and out of the vehicle.

SC Poole and C See then dragged the driver uphill and away from the vehicle, which was soon fully engulfed in flames and completely destroyed. The officers placed the driver in the recovery position and cared for her until the QAS paramedics arrived, ensuring her safety from the perilous situation.

Bronze Medal - Jarrod Michael - Public Servant and Veteran Peer Support Officer

Jarrod Michael, who was residing in Heyfield, Victoria, at the time of the incident, has since moved to Gladstone, Qld. He, along with Victorian Police Officers Kevin Barry, Hayden Crouch, and Christopher Skiba from the Heyfield Police Station, have all been awarded Bronze Medals for their acts of bravery during the rescue.

On 6 December 2021, Jarrod Michael displayed remarkable bravery during a critical incident in Heyfield, where he intervened to prevent a man from self-immolation. At 6:30 PM, Jarrod was approached at his home by a woman concerned about a man who had threatened self-harm and was reportedly armed. Responding immediately, Jarrod went to the man’s residence. Upon his arrival, the man retreated inside his house. Recognising the severity of the situation, Jarrod promptly called 000 to request police assistance.

Jarrod positioned himself on the eastern side of the house. Unexpectedly, the man emerged wielding a large kitchen knife under his left armpit. Jarrod followed him into the backyard, where he noticed an array of weapons, including axes, LPG cylinders, and picks, arranged in an arc in front of the woodshed. The man then barricaded himself inside the woodshed, which contained a jerry can full of fuel.

As the situation escalated, Jarrod observed the man dousing himself with unleaded petrol from the jerry can while intermittently attempting to ignite a lighter. In a courageous attempt to prevent a tragedy, Jarrod rushed towards the man to seize the lighter. Although this initial attempt was unsuccessful, it was crucial in delaying the man's self-destructive actions.

The arrival of LSC Barry and SCs Crouch and Skiba added support, but the man eventually succeeded in igniting the lighter, setting himself on fire from the waist up. As the situation became perilously dire, Jarrod's quick thinking continued to play a vital role. While LSC Barry and SC Crouch tackled the man to the ground to extinguish the flames, Jarrod coordinated efforts on the scene, maintaining a clear head amidst the chaos.

SC Skiba, following Jarrod's instructions, urgently sought a water source and found a garden hose, which he used to cool the burns on the man’s body until an ambulance arrived. The man was subsequently transported to the hospital in a critical but stable condition.

The incident left LSC Barry with singed hair and burns to his forehead and eyes, while SC Crouch sustained minor burns to his right forearm and hand. SC Skiba experienced fume inhalation. Throughout this harrowing event, Jarrod Michael's bravery and decisive actions were instrumental in managing the situation and preventing further harm to the individual involved and the responders at the scene. His leadership and courage under pressure are being rightfully recognised as he receives his medal, honouring his unwavering commitment to public safety.