Three siblings have received Australian Bravery Decorations for their courage during a domestic incident that took place in Albanvale in 2022.
On an evening in March 2022, Aaliah and Tyra Johnson were at home with their mother, step-father, step-sister Chantelle Sim, and two other young siblings when their stepfather poured petrol in the lounge room, kitchen, and on their mother.
He then set fire to the house and the siblings’ mother.
Aaliah assisted her mother in the shower, putting the fire out and pouring cold water on her before helping her to the front lawn.
Tyra, in the kitchen at the time, was caught in the flames and suffered severe burns to her legs and lower torso.
She fled the house through the rear door and used water to extinguish the flames on her.
She then ran around the side of the house to the outside of her bedroom, forced open a window, re-entered the burning house and retrieved her two-year-old stepbrother.
She handed her stepbrother over a fence to another sibling before climbing over the fence herself.
Chantelle was adjacent to the kitchen when the fire broke out.
She went to run outside through the lounge room when she observed her baby half-brother on the couch.
She stopped, picked him up and carried him outside.
Emergency services arrived shortly afterwards.
Tragically, their mother died.
Aaliah, Tyra and Chantelle are among 37 people recognised on September 1 for their courage.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn thanked the recipients for their humanity, compassion and bravery.
“In the 50 years of the Australian honours system, this is the first Bravery List to be released on Wattle Day. The golden wattle is Australia’s national floral emblem, and together with the crown, it is part of the Governor-General’s insignia,” Ms Mostyn said.
“The exceptional people we honour today answered a call to defend and protect with unforeseen courage. Through their actions they tell us we all matter and that all our lives are precious.
“We deeply thank and pay respect to these remarkable, brave Australians who will always have our enduring gratitude and admiration.”
