Classmate earns hero recognition

A COCKATOO student has been awarded a Metropolitan Ambulance Service (MAS) Community Hero Award for helping save a fellow student’s life.
Danny Smulders stopped to help his teacher Jillian Duffell when one of her students, 14-year-old Joel Paull, collapsed in cardiac arrest.
The incident happened during a school outing on 9 March when Joel was playing softball in the park.
Danny helped Ms Duffell perform CPR until the ambulance arrived, and Joel made a full recovery.
Paramedic Nareeda Stacey nominated the duo for the award.
The 12 Victorians awarded were recognised for their efforts that helped save lives in accidents or medical emergencies.
Danny received his award at a ceremony at Parliament House from Health Minister Bronwyn Pike.
Ms Pike said the awards demonstrated how something as simple as learning first-aid and knowing what to do in an emergency could make the difference between life and death.
“More than 70 Victorians over the past six years have now been recognised through these Community Hero Awards, helping family, friends or complete strangers in a time of great need,” Ms Pike said.
“They have been nominated for these awards by the people who really do know how important their assistance was – the MAS paramedics who saw first hand how their help, quick actions and support helped to save lives.”