By Victoria Stone-Meadows
Two young heroes from the Cranbourne area have had their bravery recognised at the 13th annual Junior Triple Zero Hero awards ceremony.
Salvatore Leone, 7, from Cranbourne North and Paige Weidermann, 12, from Lynbrook were both awarded Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) awards for calling triple-zero and staying calm under immense pressure.
Salvatore was given the award for calling emergency services after his mother had an anaphylactic reaction and collapsed on the floor.
The young boy not only used an epi-pen to try to revive his mother, but also called triple-zero and cared for her until paramedics arrived.
Under similar circumstances, 12-year-old Paige showed composure beyond her years when she called for an ambulance when her dad suffered chest pains.
Paige was able to talk the ESTA phone operator through what was happening and guide emergency services to her house to get help for her father.
Paige and Salvatore were two of 51 children to receive awards for their quick thinking and responsible actions.
Minister for Emergency Services, James Merlino said the awards showed the importance of teaching young children how to call for help and how to recognise when emergency services are needed.
“Victoria’s brave Junior Triple Zero Heroes remained remarkably cool, calm and collected and are shining examples of how preparing children for an emergency can save lives,” he said.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera also acknowledged the great work done by both Paige and Salvatore.
“Paige and Salvatore from our local area are true heroes; they kept calm under pressure and sought help when it was desperately needed. They are an example to young Victorians everywhere,” he said.
Listen to our brave young residents triple zero calls below:
Paige
Salvatore
