Nicholas Daniell, Hidayat Hidayat and Ivan Patrick Smith all received Australia's third highest, civil bravery award, the Bravery Medal, for the courage they displayed while freeing the occupants of a burning car after it crashed into an Armidale petrol station on September 14, 2015.
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Ivan Smith was at home when he heard the screech of tyres and a loud bang. When he looked out the window he saw a car had crashed into the garage across the road.
"I jumped out of my chair and ran down to see if anyone was injured," he said.
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"It was quite scary. It was sort of going up in flames and the husband said, 'Don't worry about me, save my wife.', it was happening so quick, I sort of grabbed him and dragged him away from the fire. Then I thought, 'Oh no, I have to get the wife.'.
"By that time, the other guy had grabbed her and he was really quick. So, hats off to him, he was actually closest to the fire. He said to the lady 'It's time we got you out of here.' The airbags had gone off in their faces so there was a bit of blood."
He said the three of them were joined by community members who also came out to help. Ivan said the whole thing was quite amazing.
Hidayat Hidayat was walking along with his friend Nicholas Daniell when the accident happened. They ran across the road where he helped Ivan get the driver out first, and then went back to help Nicholas with the passenger out.
"At the time I wasn't thinking about anything. It was just instinct, you know, people need your help. I didn't think about the danger to me at that time," he said.
"But, after that, looking back and watching the video with my friends, and I just said 'Oh, my God.'
"I never thought about any reward. I was just a human being helping the people, and I just want to thank the Armidale people who supported me."
Both men saw their actions on the day as being part of a community effort.
"Doctors across the street came and said they were there to help us, people walking past and people driving past stopped to help," Hidayat said.
"It was a real community thing. The fire brigade, they were amazing and I was so glad to see them because there was a motel right next door," Ivan said.
"This makes me think about the whole community a lot more. There's a lot more I can do and achieve, but yeah, it does sort of put you on a track thinking about what else you can do."
Australian Bravery Decorations are part of the Australian Honours System (established in 1975) that recognise civil acts of bravery, by people who put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives or property of others.
Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, awarded Australian Bravery Decorations to 101 outstanding Australians, including the three from Armidale.
"On behalf of all Australians, I thank these Australians for their bravery. They are a source of courage, support and inspiration, and we are a stronger, safer and more caring nation because of them," the Governor General said.
"These awards have helped to define, encourage and reinforce our national aspirations and ideals by identifying role models. Today, we add a new group of people to those whose lead all Australians should follow."
