General News
12 November, 2024
Former local honoured with medal for bravery after saving ex-serviceman
Jarrod Michaels receives RHSA bronze medal for bravery.
Former Horsham local and veteran Jarrod Michael has been awarded the Royal Humane Society of Australasia's bronze medal for bravery.
The award recognised his courageous intervention in a life-threatening situation involving a fellow ex-serviceman in Cowwarr, Victoria.
Mr Michael's swift actions prevented a tragedy, leading to his family's second accolade of valour, following his brother Clinton's RHSA silver medal in 1996.
The former High School in Horsham student was honoured at a special ceremony in May.
Helping a fellow veteran
At the time, Mr Michael, a former member of the Australian Army, was running a 'veteran-centric' hotel called the Cowwarr Hotel.
"It was at the Cowwarr Hotel that I'd met and was sort of counselling a lot of returned servicemen," he said.
Having been alerted to the incident, Mr Michael called the police and went to intervene.
"I thought it would be similar to the previous occasions where I would talk the individual down," he said.
"I'd maybe drive him to the hospital, or I'd stay in the psychiatric ward with him to keep him calm."
But, Mr Michael noted this time, the man seemed intent on doing himself harm.
"I was on the back foot, pretty much from the beginning; I knew the police weren't too far behind," he said.
"I was just trying to get rid of as many weapons and bits and pieces as I could."
Having poured fuel over his head, the man began walking towards Mr Michael and three police officers threatening to light himself on fire.
Mr Michael attempted to take the man to the ground and take a cigarette lighter from him but wasn't able to before the man lit the fuel.
But, with Mr Michael and the police officers there, he was able to get the help he needed.
"The good news of that story is that he did live," he said.
"He spent 30 odd days in the Alfred Hospital burns unit [and] he's completely turned his life around, he's a loving, happy father who's sought the help he needed."
The incident was particularly impactful for Mr Michael.
"I was petrified because I've seen the results of burns before," he said.
"So I was very aware of what burns can do to people."
Mr Michael's younger brother, Clinton Michael, suffered serious burns when he was involved in a plane crash at the Stawell Aerodrome in 1995.
But Mr Michael said he also had a sense of love for his fellow ex-servicemen during the incident.
"You don't want your fellow soldiers and defence force personnel to hurt themselves," he said.
"This was not a civilian on the street; this was someone that I had a great amount of time and respect for, and I just didn't want to see him hurt himself."
Joining an elite group
Mr Michael said to receive the award was mind blowing.
"I flew rescue helicopters, I've been overseas for my country, I've spent time on the street as a policeman," he said.
"All those things in themselves are quite brave, all those things in themselves take a lot from you.
"I'm 53 now, so at the end of my career, where I'm no longer serving any of those roles, so to receive recognition for that event, was just amazing for me."
This award makes two the Michael family have been honoured with.
Jarrod's younger brother Clinton received a RHSA Silver medal for bravery in 1996 for his actions during the 1995 plane crash.
"I think dad's quite chuffed by it," Mr Michael said.
"He was a long-serving member of the police force, [he] would have done numerous brave things in his time, and he gave a huge commitment to the west swimmer community.
"I think he spent 15 years of his police career just in the Wimmera area.
"I think he's quite proud of us."
Mr Michael admits that there may have been some sibling rivalry through the years.
"I was definitely trying to stand out as the number one son," he said. "Now I've come runner up, because the medal I got was bronze, and Clinton got the silver.
"[But] the competition's over, I'm too old for that."
Mr Michael, who once played for the Horsham Football Club, believes it was his time growing up in Horsham 'where you knew who the police were' that instilled his instinct for bravery.
"We used to wave at the police cars," he said.
Mr Michael's awards cabinet is set to grow again in 2024.
He had been invited to the police academy to receive a citizen's commendation for his actions during the 2021 incident in Cowwarr.
He is set to receive a medal for his overseas service with the Australian Defence Force in 2009, during which he flew helicopters in Timor Leste.
Support is available for those who may be distressed.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Men's Referral Service 1300 776 491
Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
beyondblue 1300 224 636
1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732
National Elder Abuse 1800 ELDERHelp 1800 353 374