Geoff Helisma |

The Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove has awarded a ‘commendation for brave conduct’ to Bryce Ellis, a Yamba man who “in the late afternoon of March 4, 2018 … rescued several people caught in a rip at Main Beach, Yamba”.

The Governor-General announced on Thursday March 28 that “101 outstanding Australians who, without thought of personal risk, displayed courage and bravery to protect or defend others”, had been awarded Australian bravery decorations.

“On behalf of all Australians, I thank these Australians for their bravery,” he said.

“They are a source of courage, support and inspiration, and we are a stronger, safer and more caring nation because of them.”

Mr Ellis’s citation stated, in part, that he “heard screaming and yelling … from a group of four females and one male [who] had been caught in a rip and were panicking in the water”.

“Mr Ellis ran back along the beach … assessed the situation and grabbed hold of two of the distressed females, pulling them to the safety of the rocks.

“He then returned to the male and guided him towards the rocks before assisting the remaining two females, who had floating devices, to a safe area.”

Mr Ellis said he was “humbled” to receive the award and that he was “just glad that the people were okay”.

Mr Ellis said that a man with whom he had a conversation after the rescue said it was “our dream to swim in the ocean”.

Reflecting on that statement, Mr Ellis said he “hoped they had reconnected with the ocean at some level” over the past year.

Read Mr Ellis’s full story from 2018 at:  www.clarencevalleynews.com.au/yamba-man-averts-tragedy/