A LOCAL Hero

In an incident that occurred during the Christmas of 2020, Tate Dee and his dad Grant, displayed exceptional bravery and life-saving skills. tate was recognised earlier this year for his bravery.

The duo were swimming at a friend’s pool when they noticed a little boy lying unconscious in the water. Without wasting a second, Tate sprang into action, pulled the boy out of the water and called for help. “It felt like years from when I saw him to when I reacted. Everything slowed down, and a million thoughts flooded my mind”, recalls Tate. His dad arrived and together they performed CPR on the boy until the ambulance arrived. Thanks to their quick action and CPR skills, the little boy survived.

Tate’s actions during the incident were truly heroic and it’s no surprise that he was invited to The Government House to receive his award of commendation from Royal Lifesaving, presented by Her Excellency

Margaret Beazley, the Governor of New South Wales. “I was a little nervous meeting someone of such high power, but I kept my cool and received my award. I was proud of myself, and in awe of how beautiful Government house was”, he says. To be recognised by an organisation as prestigious as Royal Lifesaving is a great honour and a testament to Tate’s bravery and quick thinking in a crisis situation.

It is a clear indication of the level of recognition and admiration that Tate has garnered for his actions. It’s an achievement that should be celebrated not just by Tate and his family, but by the entire community as well.

Whilst at Government House, he also had an amazing opportunity to perform a piece on the vintage piano in front of Her Excellency, Margaret Beazley. He played ‘The Way It Is’ by Bruce Hornsby and received high praise for his performance from Her Excellency. Tate was also the youngest person to be given an award on that day, making him stand out among all other adult recipients. “It was a really cool experience and interesting to hear all the other recipients’ stories”, Tate recalls. It was certainly a thrilling moment for him and one he will never forget.

The incident shows how important it is to know CPR and how it can save lives in emergency situations. Tate Dee’s quick action and CPR skills proved to be life-saving for the little boy at the Christmas party. Tate’s advise to others in a similar situation, “Stay calm and assess the situation. Don’t let panic fuel your actions. Communicate effectively with those around you and react quickly”. It’s important for everyone to learn CPR, as it can mean the difference between life and death. CPR classes are available at various community centres and hospitals.

We hope that Tate’s actions will inspire others and to be prepared to act in emergency situations. It’s important to remember that anyone can be a hero and that sometimes the smallest actions can make the biggest difference. Tate’s bravery and quick thinking undoubtedly saved a life and he should be proud of his achievement and the positive impact he has had on his community.

Cathy Myers Head of Stehpen House