Melton South’s superheroes don’t wear capes and fly over buildings – they are ordinary siblings who’ve done an extraordinary thing.
Courageous Elly, 9, and Robert, 10, were presented with Junior Triple Zero Heroes awards last week for calling the emergency services when their dad experienced severe chest pain last year.
Elly took over the triple-0 call while Robert unlocked the door for the paramedics. The duo displayed brilliant team effort while staying calm and reassuring their dad that help was on the way.
“Why the award is so important to me is because I helped save someone’s life,” Elly said.
She urged all youngsters to be aware of the emergency number and call it when they needed help.
Brother Robert agreed. The 10-year-old said the awards recognised the importance of learning the emergency service number.
“[The award] teaches other children to call triple-0 when they need some help, or parents or someone around them need their help.”
Dad Bruce said he was proud of his children for staying calm.
“It’s pretty brilliant what the young ones did,” he said.
Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority chief executive Ken Shymanski said the awards recognised and rewarded the youngsters’ initiative and clear thinking.
“Teaching children when and how to call triple-0 really does save lives,” Mr Shymanski said.
“It is very important that children know the number to call and learn their home address.”
Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett congratulated the 27 juniors, aged between four and 13, who were presented with the awards.
“Close to 1.7 million emergency calls are made to ESTA via the triple-0 service every year but clearly standing out were the acts of these brave youngsters in situations that would rattle most adults,” Ms Garrett said.
