An Ipswich resident has been honored with Queensland’s most prestigious civilian bravery accolade for her courageous act of protecting a teenage girl from an assailant armed with a bow and arrow.
Nicole Law was grocery shopping in Booval, Ipswich, in September 2020 when she heard the desperate cries of a 15-year-old girl being pursued by a man wielding a bow and arrow. While many shoppers fled the scene, the 42-year-old mother approached the unfolding crisis.
“In that moment, I felt no fear; my only thought was that this girl needed help,” Ms. Law recounted.
She instructed the injured girl, who had an arrow embedded in her hand, to take cover behind her. When the attacker emerged, Ms. Law stood her ground and initiated a dialogue.
“I can’t recall my exact words, but I remember asking him, ‘What is happening? Why are you doing this?’” Ms. Law explained.
The assailant, identified as 28-year-old Benjamin Bourke, responded by stating that he had recently been involved in an accident and was experiencing a difficult phase in his life. “I told him, ‘That sounds really tough for you,’” she continued.
To her surprise, Bourke eventually dropped his weapon and stated that everything was fine. At that moment, two bystanders intervened, successfully restraining Bourke until law enforcement arrived.
Unbeknownst to Ms. Law at the time, Bourke’s intentions were far more sinister than they appeared. He later admitted to attempted murder and received a prison sentence of 10 and a half years. During the trial, it was revealed that he had previously targeted an Indigenous woman and had briefly contemplated attacking another woman with a baby.
“I was unaware of the pain he had inflicted; I only saw a man in distress chasing a girl,” Ms. Law reflected.
Her act of bravery was officially acknowledged during a ceremony held by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia in Brisbane, where she was awarded the prestigious Clarke Gold Medal, endorsed by His Majesty King Charles III.
Though Ms. Law was originally scheduled to receive the award in 2024, she could not attend. The event’s organizers rescheduled the ceremony to allow Queensland’s governor, Dr. Jeannette Young, to present the medal personally.
“That is remarkable; you truly saved her life,” Dr. Young expressed while bestowing the honor upon Ms. Law.
Among other awardees were three surfers from the Sunshine Coast who used their boards to rescue two men caught in a perilous storm in April 2021.
Reflecting on that fateful day nearly six years ago, Ms. Law expressed concern for the young girl’s well-being. “It was unjust for her to endure such an ordeal, and that’s a memory that lingers,” she stated.
Recently, she learned that the now-adult woman is thriving and has the support of her family. “Hearing that was heartwarming; it meant a lot to me,” she added.
Looking ahead, Ms. Law considers the values she hopes to pass on to her family. She plans to give her medal to her grandson as a symbol of their family’s principles and integrity. “I hope my sons and grandson will feel proud of me; it will serve as a reminder of the importance of being a good person,” she noted.
“It’s essential to uphold those values, especially in today’s world, where they often seem forgotten.”
