As Australia’s emergency services prepare for the busy summer season, Bondi’s lifeguards are encouraging all Forbes locals to recognise, thank and reconnect with their emergency services heroes as part of the ‘Find my Hero Australia’ initiative.
Launched this year not-for-profit health insurer Emergency Services Health, the initiative aims to have a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of workers and volunteers who often miss out on receiving thanks and closure after emergency situations.
By enlisting community support through social media and word of mouth, Find my Hero Australia is helping individuals and families to find, recognise and reconnect with emergency services workers who have made a difference to their lives.
Bondi lifeguard, Andrew ‘Reidy’ Reid has had the opportunity to reconnect with a surfer he rescued and is encouraging more Australians to recognise and thank their heroes as we head into the busy summer season.
“Myself and two other lifeguards found a girl, Candice, face down in the water after being knocked out by some heavy waves. It was my first proper CPR resuscitation and in treacherous conditions had to rescue her and give 8 to 10 rounds of CPR before using a defibrillator.
“We got Candice breathing before paramedics arrived, but for a long time we didn’t know if she would pull through. Then she came back to say thank you and we were really lucky to find out about the rest of her story and that she was ok. It was so rewarding,” said Andrew.
Fellow Bondi lifeguard Ryan Clarke, says not knowing what happens to patients is one of the toughest things they have to face. Find your hero, or help someone else find theirs, by visiting the
Find my Hero Australia Facebook page and sharing your story using the hashtag #FindMyHeroAU, and let the power of social media help bring reconnection.