Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the pitch dark of night on 6 January 2016, seven crewmen aboard the Port Stephens marine rescue vessel the Danial Thain ventured into the night. At 2 am, the 32-tonne rescue vessel was hit by a wall of water in cyclonic conditions which tipped the boat onto its port side, throwing the crew on the deck off their feet and causing the boat's propellers to lift out of the water. As the boat righted itself, a second large wave hit, engulfing the crew in water and knocking them off their feet. This is where Laurie Nolan comes into the picture. He is one of the two brave people who have been awarded the Star of Courage today in Australia. Laurie was knocked off his feet by that wall of water. He regained his footing and worked to prevent crew members from being further entangled in safety lines and dragged under the water. He then went to the aid of a crewman who had sustained a shoulder injury, by untangling the safety line and moving the injured man off the deck and into the safety of the cabin. Realising another crewman was pinned to the deck by tangled lines, Mr Nolan grabbed a knife from his belt, severed the line and pulled his colleague to his feet inside the cabin, preventing him from drowning. A third large wave then struck the boat, knocking it over and causing one of the engines to stop on the Daniel Thain. As the boat righted itself, Mr Nolan and the battered crew were able to restart the engine, clear ropes away from the propellers and then begin the arduous five-hour journey back to Port Stephens, battling large waves, cyclone-like headwinds, injuries and severe seasickness. The crew of the race yacht that they went to save made it safely to shore, thankfully, in a life raft.

Today, I want to acknowledge Laurie Nolan, who was described as 'such a courageous individual' by our Governor-General David Hurley, who said:

These awards recognise the courageous actions of individuals who, in a moment of danger or peril, chose to act.

They were brave, they did not hesitate, and their actions made a difference.

Laurie, you are outstanding, as are Noel Corcoran, Ian Drummond, Michael Duggan, Suzanne Freeman, Senior Constable Matthew Grey, David Jack, Kenneth Johnson, Senior Constable Nicholas Leach, Ron Lighton, Peter Merlino, Richard Pizzuto, Paul Sullivan, John Thomas and Nigel Waters. Without you choosing to be part of Marine Rescue Port Stephens, without choosing to act on that treacherous night, lives would have been lost. They have been saved. I've never been more proud of my local organisation, Marine Rescue Port Stephens. Thank you for volunteering to make our world a safer place.