Chris and Rosemary Steel of Bega attended the Gundagai Australia Day ceremony to witness their son receive an award from the shire council for bravery in the bushfires of January 2014.
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Former Bega Valley boy and ex-Bega High School student Matthew Steel is now a police senior constable stationed at Gundagai.
The following is the message that was read to the crowd by the Gundagai Mayor, with the award presented by Australia Day Ambassador Andy Paschalidis.
On January 18-19, 2014, a major bushfire broke out at Minjary between Tumut and Gundagai.
The speed of this fire caught everyone off guard.
Leading Senior Constable Matthew Steel and Senior Constable Grant Norris from Gundagai Police assisted many residents in evacuating their properties.
They assisted people in evacuating livestock and pets alike.
Matthew was never going to leave the kelpie dogs that were in direct danger and they were all loaded into the police truck.
At one point, they found themselves surrounded by the fire and were fighting for their own lives as well.
The cool head of LSC Steel guided SC Norris in police vehicle Gundagai 19 through the smoke and fire, back to Gocup Rd.
Upon coming onto Gocup Rd, they were confronted with 12 scared and confused motorists who were trapped in the flames.
They turned each vehicle around to guide them out of danger.
One vehicle stalled and the driver was pulled into the cabin and safety of Gundagai 19. LSC Steel and SC Norris then guided these motorists to safety.
Once they ensured these people were safe, LSC Steel and SC Norris went back towards the fire to assist with evacuating residences.
They were met with walls of fire and smoke, but continued on.
LSC Steel was unknowingly left at a residence and using nothing but dribbling garden hoses, managed to save the property from destruction.
There was no loss of life or property from this fire and I believe this is partly because of the selfless efforts and sheer bravery of LSC Steel and SC Norris.
They went above and beyond their duties.
- Do you have a great story to share of Bega district people doing great things in their community? Let us know on 6492 1177 or by emailing ben.smyth@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
