Cairns Police Officer, John Dijkstra (pictured) is one of three Queenslanders involved in separate water rescues across Queensland’s north recognised in the latest round of Australian Bravery Decorations for their swift and selfless actions.
Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated Senior Constable Dijkstra, Cairns City Councillor, Brett Moller and Townsville City Council truck driver, Glen Hardy.
“In times of crisis, we know the willingness of Queenslanders to lend a helping hand when confronted by accidents and natural disasters,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Above and beyond that, extraordinary individuals step up and reach out to those in peril — some even risking their own lives to save the life of a stranger.”
She said that sadly, Queenslanders were all too familiar with torrential rain and flood events in the State, and understood the dangers.
Senior Constable Dijkstra received a Commendation for Brave Conduct, acknowledging his role in the rescue of a bus driver who was stuck inside a submerged vehicle in a crocodile-inhabited creek in Cairns on 23 September 2018.
Councillor Moller received a Bravery Medal for his rescue of a young woman from a vehicle submerged in floodwaters near Aloomba in 2018.
Mr Hardy received a Commendation for Brave Conduct for helping to rescue and relocate 60 men, women and children from the suburb of Idalia during the city’s flood event in February 2019.
