Bourke Street terror attack hero acknowledged

The four-centimetre-deep, 14-centimetre-long cut to his head slashed an artery. While the physical wounds healed, he is mentally fragile. He retired from running a car parts business and in March he and Maree moved from Launceston, Tasmania, to Torquay, Victoria, to be closer to family, for support.

“I will never forget the support from my family and friends and the Tasmanian community.”

He has frequent flashbacks, reliving the fear.

“I have different emotions than I used to have. I’m not the same person.”

Patterson doesn’t consider himself a hero and believes his instincts from previously working as a firefighter for 18 years guided him to rush towards the burning ute, to help.

Of Shire Ali, Patterson says: “I’m working very hard not to hate, because hate is what started the whole thing.”

Among other bravery award recipients, Frank Catena was given a Commendation for Brave Conduct for rescuing a woman from her burning house on September 16, 2021.

While checking on his house being renovated in Main Street, Northcote, Catena saw smoke streaming from a house opposite. The front door was locked so he smashed a glass panel and opened it.

Flames and smoke were rolling across the ceiling and the neighbour was standing in a back room, looking for her dog. Catena guided the woman out to safety, minutes before flames engulfed the house. The dog was found alive and well outside.

Catena said he felt “incredibly honoured” by the award and that he wouldn’t hesitate to repeat his actions. “You don’t stop to think about these things.”

Elsewhere, volunteer surf lifesavers Ross and Andy Powell were awarded posthumous Bravery Medals.

The father and son died at Port Campbell on Victoria’s west coast, after their boat flipped as they tried to save a tourist in rough seas on Easter Sunday in 2019.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.