Community heroes honoured

Victorians who selflessly stepped in to help others in life-threatening medical emergencies have been honoured at the 11th Annual Ambulance Victoria Community Hero Awards.

The annual awards acknowledged and celebrated the outstanding efforts of Victorians who have helped at the scene of a medical emergency.

Among the winners in 2010 were Victorians of all ages who have called 000 in an emergency, performed first aid or CPR and helped at the scene of accidents, without hesitation or thought for themselves. Some of the heroes honoured risked their own safety and were, in fact, threatened or injured themselves while providing assistance to others.

Heroes included a husband who performed CPR on his wife suffering a cardiac arrest, and a 7-year-old boy who cleverly used light from his Nintendo DS to help his family after a car accident.

Also honoured at the awards were bystanders who stopped at the scene of a motorcycle accident in Nar Nar Goon, and lifeguards at the Don Tatnell Leisure Centre in Mordialloc.

In many cases these people continued to provide valuable assistance even after paramedics had arrived on the scene. The awards highlighted that a medical emergency could happen to anyone, regardless of age, and without any warning.

The Award ceremony took place at Parliament House in Melbourne in late October 2010. Since 2000, 161 Community Heroes have been recognised with an award.