Denmark’s David Stockdale awarded highest honour at Coastal Bravery Awards for Greens Pool rescue attempt

Denmark resident David Stockdale was enjoying a walk with his daughters near Greens Pool in March this year when he noticed a man struggling in a rip, jumping into the water in an attempt to save the man’s life. Mr Stockdale was awarded a Gold Medallion for Exceptional Bravery on August 8 at the Surf Life Saving WA Coastal Bravery Awards, the highest honour awarded at the ceremony to a person who performs a “conspicuous and selfless” act of exceptional bravery in circumstances of “extreme peril”. Mr Stockdale was walking along the rocks at Greens Pool when his daughter noticed someone taking the life ring off its post at the popular tourist location. He immediately ran to help, taking the life ring and going into the rough water to attempt to rescue a man who had been dragged out in a rip. Tragically, after extensive efforts from Mr Stockdale and the emergency services responders who arrived shortly after, the man was lost to the rough conditions and high swells. Mr Stockdale received his award from Albany local and Coastal Bravery Ambassador Joanne Lucas and Governor of WA Chris Dawson, and said his family who were on the beach at Greens Pool with him in March, shared in the bravery medal. “When I received the award I said, this is really for my partner and my daughters and their friend as well, because it was scary for them to be there while I was in the water,” he said. “I took a calculated risk in a way because I was confident, and even though I wouldn’t normally swim in water that rough, I knew I had the safety ring with me, but they were on the beach and couldn’t see where I was or if I was OK, so they were as brave as I was.” Mr Stockdale grew up in the Goldfields, and credited joining the Denmark Surf Life Saving Club, giving him vital skills that made him confident to go into the rough ocean at Greens Pool. “Surf Life Saving WA does so much, and there’s so much more to do with having devices at beaches that are risky, and enabling people to have basic first aid and life-saving skills,” he said. “I was in my early 50s when I did my Bronze Medallion, I could swim but I didn’t like rough water or the rips at Ocean Beach when I first moved to Denmark, and now five years later I’m much more confident in the water. “It was nice to be acknowledged, and to be able to share that award with my partner and the girls, and Surf Life Saving WA as well, because a few years ago, there’s no way I would have jumped in near a rip.” Mr Stockdale was among 37 recipients of gold, silver and bronze medallions for their bravery in assisting people in danger in the ocean, himself and six others receiving gold.