The skill and commitment of Cockburn ARC team members who act to preserve life when members of the public are experiencing a serious and unexpected emergency has been recognised at the 2026 Royal Life Saving WA Bravery Awards.
Nine Cockburn ARC team members helped two ARC visitors who were able to make a full recovery after experiencing a life-threatening emergency while attending the popular aquatic and recreation facility in separate incidents earlier this year.
City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett attended the awards event at the State Reception Centre in Kings Park on 9 October and commended the following City staff members:
- Aarya Rai – Gold Medallion
- Natalie Tessarin – Gold Medallion
- Nick Collins – Gold Medallion
- Aleksandar Ilic – Gold Star
- Jack Hadley – Gold Star
- Sienna Cummins – Gold Star
- Jenaya Vincent – Bravery Commendation
- Melissa Justins - Bravery Commendation
- Will Johnson – Bravery Commendation.
Mayor Howlett said he was always humbled when learning of the life-saving efforts of Cockburn ARC staff, all of whom had either Royal Life Saving or First Aid training, or both.
“The ARC hosts more than 1.4m visits annually and our staff are highly trained to always be on alert and apply their knowledge and quick thinking to any patron who may find themself in trouble while exercising, recreating or spectating,” Mayor Howlett said.
“I am always reassured by their ability to apply the knowledge they have learned to ensure complete strangers are cared for in an exemplary way so they can be in the best situation possible when paramedics arrive to administer further emergency care.”
City of Cockburn Director Community and Place Kylie Johnson said she was immensely proud of the award-winning Cockburn ARC and its approach to patron safety.
“I am especially thankful to our staff members who perpetually act professionally and immediately in the service of others in the event of an emergency.
“Cockburn ARC achieved a Royal Life Saving WA Pool Safety Assessment score of 99.93 per cent, a demonstration of our City’s commitment to public safety at ARC where our community gathers to get active every day of the year,” Ms Johnson said.
Royal Life Saving Western Australia summaries for the Cockburn ARC award winners:
- Nick Collins (Gold Medallion Bravery Award), Sienna Cummins, Jack Hadley, and Aleksandar Ilic (Gold Star Bravery Award), and Melissa Justins (Bravery Commendation):Lifeguard Nick began CPR on an unconscious three-year-old who was not breathing at Cockburn ARC. Supported by the team, the child regained responsiveness and began breathing before paramedics arrived.
- Natalie Tessarin and Aarya Rai (Gold Medallion Bravery Award), Jenaya Vincent, and Will Johnson (Bravery Commendation):Natalie and Aarya used CPR and a defibrillator to resuscitate a collapsed gym member at Cockburn ARC. Jenaya and Will supported the response and maintained privacy until paramedics arrived. The man made a full recovery.
Gold Medallions are awarded to those who have attempted to save a life under difficult circumstances involving a complex water resource and/or First Aid or Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Gold Stars are awarded to those who have attempted to save a life through the provision of First Aid and/or basic water rescue.
Bravery Commendations are awarded to those who have responded to an incident and provided assistance to save a life.
Read the Royal Life Saving Western Australia 2026 awards Media Release on their
website.
Caption: L-r: Will Johnson (Bravery Commendation), Sienna Cummins (Gold Star), Nick Collins (Gold Medallion), Jack Hadley (Gold Star), Natalie Tessarin (Gold Medallion), Melissa Justins (Bravery Commendation), City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett. Aarya Rai, Aleksandar Ilic and Jenaya Vincent were not present for the awards ceremony. Image: Royal Life Saving WA.