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Courageous pair earn national commendations

By Bree Lambert

Sep 3, 2026

A change in route usually just offers different scenery, but for an injured motorist near Kyabram, a different road taken by two strangers on February 20, 2024, was the difference between life and death.

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Thomas Gallaway and Darcy Regan stumbled upon a single-vehicle crash by chance after taking a road they would not normally travel, only to find a downed power pole that had sparked a grass fire and spread to the car involved.

At about 6pm that day, inside the vehicle, an injured driver was trapped.

Mr Gallaway and Mr Regan approached the scene, braving live power lines and flames to rescue him from the burning vehicle just moments before it was engulfed.

For their selfless actions, Mr Gallaway of Koyuga and Mr Regan of Tongala have been awarded the Commendation for Brave Conduct as part of the latest Australian Bravery Decorations announced on National Wattle Day, September 1.

The pair said they were simply the first people at the scene and that the important thing was the driver was safe and able to return to his family.

Commending their actions, Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn said the recipients “remind us of the strength and depth of the human spirit”.

The awards were recommended by the independent Australian Bravery Decorations Council, which includes community representatives alongside delegates from each state and territory.