Lisa Whitbourn of Kiama was among 46 Australians recognised with Australian Bravery Decorations, announced by the Governor-General Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC on Tuesday, August 13.

Kiama local, Lisa Whitbourn was awarded the Commendation for Brave Conduct for the heroic rescue of a man at Merewether Beach on Christmas Day two years ago.

Mrs Whitbourn was spending the day at the beach with her family when she witnessed three young men being dragged out to sea, one man was battling the rip and further out than the others.

The two men closest to the shore were rescued by fellow beach-goers and returned to shore, Mrs Whitbourn sprung into action and ran out to sea, swimming out to the man being carried out into deep water.

When she reached him, he was completely under water. She dove down to get him to the surface and onto his back, he began panicking and pushed her under the waves. She attempted to swim back to him, but each attempt, a wave would crash into them and cause the man to grab on top of Mrs Whitbourn. 

She was eventually successful in getting the man to float on his back, supporting him while others paddled out with boogie boards to get him back to shore.

Steven Apthorp of Ulladulla has also been honoured with a Group Bravery Citation for his heroic actions after a disaster occurred at Dreamworld in 2016.

Mr Apthorp was on a water ride at a Gold Coast theme park when two rafts collided. He quickly escorted his family and others to safety before jumping into the water to rescue an unconscious woman, performing CPR and relocating her away from the collision. 

Tragically, four people lost their lives in the accident. 

Fiona Phillips, Labor MP for Gilmore, commended the local heroes for their bravery and selflessness. “On behalf of all Australians, and the Gilmore community, I congratulate Lisa and Steven and thank them for their bravery and selfless actions during such traumatic circumstances.”

“It takes a special kind of person to jump in and act in the way they did, and they are extraordinary humans who thoroughly deserve this honour,” Phillips declared.