THREE Sutherland shire men who placed themselves in danger have been recognised for their courage.
Garry Keir of Heathcote, and Leigh Parkes and Paul Featherstone of Loftus, received top honours in the 2014 Australian Bravery Awards.
Governor-General Peter Cosgrove shook the hands of men and women who were recognised for their outstanding achievements and service in the 29th anniversary of the Australian honours system this month.
Mr Keir and Mr Parkes were commended for brave conduct, and Mr Featherstone got a group bravery citation award.
On holidays in Western Australia, the last thing Mr Parkes thought he would do was rescue two children and their mother who were caught in rough surf.
But thanks to his quick action a possible tragedy was averted on that day.
Two days before Christmas in 2001, Mr Parkes was at Betty's Beach when he heard the screams of two girls struggling to stay afloat on boogie boards about 50 metres from shore.
Using a rope, he dragged them and their mother — who was trying to reach them — out of the strong rip.
"It was an isolated beach, no flags," he said.
"The last thing you think about is your safety, so I took off my clothes and in my undies, jumped in.
"I'd never been in a rip before but I'm not a bad swimmer.
"We all lost some skin off our shins from the rock boulders sticking out of the sand."
Instinct kicked in four years ago when a knife-wielding bandit burst into an Engadine Pizza Hut shop.
Hurstville police sergeant Garry Keir was off duty and waiting for his order when the female robber in a balaclava burst through the door and demanded money from the staff.
The now-retired Mr Keir forced the woman against the counter, and after a struggle she dropped the knife.
He restrained her until police arrived.
"I'm very appreciative of the award and to have my actions rewarded," Mr Keir said.
Paramedic Paul Featherstone has been on the front line at a handful of rescue missions during his career.
This year he received a team award for being one of the people who helped retrieve two men from the Beaconsfield mine in Tasmania.
They were trapped almost a kilometre underground in 2006.
Volunteer rescue teams worked for eight days to reassure and rescue the pair.
