The Royal Humane Society of Australia

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THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY OF AUSTRALASIA BRAVERY AWARD INVESTITURE – 22 FEBRUARY 2022

At Australian High Commission
Australia House
London

Mr Daniel Leigh Richards went to the rescue of a woman from being stabbed by a man at Home Hill Qld o 23 August 2016.

Mr Richards was presented with his award by the Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Julie Hecksher.

* * * * * * * * * *

At 11.06am a man staying at the Home Hill Backpackers Hostel was seen pacing the first-floor balcony and yelling out.

He returned to his room which he was sharing with a woman and another man. He dragged the woman from her bed at knife point, holding her from behind with the knife to her throat. He took her outside the room.

Mr Richards and the night manager, Mr Scholz were alerted to the yelling and pleaded with the man to put the knife down. The assailant then started to stab the woman and fell to the ground with her. Mr Richards and Mr Scholz attempted to approach the assailant and Mr Scholz received a cut to his lower leg requiring in excess of 100 stitches.

Mr Richards started yelling for assistance and this distracted the assailant sufficiently for the woman to get to her feet and run several metres away to the bathroom.

Mr Richards then went to the bathroom to render assistance to the woman together with Mr Jackson.

The assailant went to the bathroom and Mr Jackson pleaded with him to calm down so they could assist the woman. The assailant grabbed Mr Jackson and stabbed him multiple times and then left the bathroom.

Mr Richards exited the bathroom but remained in the vicinity calling for help from the top of the stairs.

Shortly afterwards the police arrived and the assailant was taken into custody.

Sadly, the woman passed away and Mr Jackson was transported to hospital where he passed away on 2 September 2016.

Mr Thomas Jackson (dec) was awarded the 2020 Clarke Posthumous Medal for the most outstanding act of bravery in that year and his award was presented on his behalf to his parents Mr Les & Mrs Sandra Jackson at the Australian High Commission London on 14 December 2021.

Mr Grant Scholz was awarded the Gold Medal of The Royal Humane Society of Australasia by the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Cr Adrian Schrinner at an investiture at City Hall, Brisbane on 21 May 2021.

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