Australians recognised for bravery
Updated
A former Australian Federal police officer who pulled an East Timorese woman out of a burning hut is among 40 Australians recognised for acts of bravery under the national honours system.
Roger Cullinan from Brisbane says the roof and walls of the hut in a village near Suai were alight when he went inside to rescue an elderly woman.
"I thought to myself what am I doing but then you come back and say lets do your job and I found the old lady and lifted her out," he said.
Also among the 18 people commended for Brave Conduct is Patrick Byrne from Sydney's Coogee Dolphins Rugby League Club who went to help victims after the bombing of Bali's Sari Club in October 2002.
"I definitely felt my life was in danger and going back and pulling people out of the fire was something that I'm really proud of," he said.
