On a day just like any other, Dean Rossit was driving with his wife near Little Austinmer Beach when he saw a man and a child in the water signalling for help.  

When he realised the severity of the unfolding incident, he asked his wife to pull over and ran to the beach.  

Dean quickly entered the water and swam nearly 100 metres to the stranded pair. When he reached them, he realised he couldn’t help both at once, so swam with the child to the shore as fast as he could before handing him to a bystander who was surfing at the time.  

At this moment, Dean noticed the man in the water was approaching nearby rocks and was losing consciousness. He jumped back in the water and climbed the nearby rocks to get a better vantage point to help him.

During a break in the waves, Dean stepped on a lower ledge closer to the water, reached out to the man and managed to pull him out of the water.  

A crowd had gathered to help by this time, and some were able to provide first aid to the man before emergency services arrived and took over the scene.  

Thanks to the efforts of Dean Rossit, both father and son survived.  

For his remarkable bravery in the face of significant danger, Dean was commended for brave conduct for his actions in the Australian Bravery Decorations Wattle Day 2025 list.  

“Honestly, it feels humbling and a bit overwhelming [to be recognised],” Dean says.  

“On that day, I just did what anyone would have done if they were able to help.

“I’m grateful I was in the right place at the right time, and that the father and son are okay.”  

Australian Bravery Decorations can only be awarded to individuals who are nominated by someone in the community.  

Find out more at www.gg.gov.au.