By Renee Wood
Two men born and bred in Healesville have been honoured with a Bravery Medal for rescuing a teenager from a burning cabin in Port Fairy in 2017.
Ben Martin and Ben Van der Burgt were awarded the medal today by the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria, at a ceremony at Government House Victoria.
On 21 December 2017 Mr Martin and Mr Van Der Burgt were holidaying at the caravan park in Port Fairy when they discovered a nearby cabin was on fire.
Mr van der Burgt attempted to open the front door, but it was locked and barricaded from the inside. Checking through the cabin’s windows, he saw saw a teenage girl was inside.
Mr Martin grabbed a nearby hose and began to douse the fire, another man also arrived to help the pair through several attempts to get inside to save the girl.
The three men discovered the teenage girl at a small window and pulled her out to safety as the guttering above their heads was engulfed in flames.
The girl was dragged to safety from the burning cabin which was now consumed by flames.
Fire and ambulance services arrived and the young woman was taken to hospital.
Hon Dessau said this ceremony provides the opportunity to recognise people who selflessly put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives or the property of others.
“We hope that you can all feel proud and know that your communities profoundly grateful. Your actions go beyond just a moment in time, they emphasize the fundamental goodness amongst us, and they serve to inspire us,” she said.
More to come tomorrow when Star Mail speaks with Mr Martin and Mr Van Der Burgt.
