A brave act at Penshurst in 2012 has been honoured seven years later.
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The late Raymond Jerome, 67, is a recipient of the Bravery Medal (for bravery in hazardous circumstances) in the Australian Bravery Awards.
It was early on April 14, 2012, when the father-of-two was sleeping in a unit shared with his daughter Nicole and grandson Chris, who were at the time 37 and 8 years of age respectively.
Mr Jerome woke to the sound of fire alarms. He went to investigate and saw smoke coming from one of the units. Together with his daughter, he alerted the two residents and helped them evacuate.
He went back into the burning building to checking on his neighbours. As the thick smoke began to quickly fill the stairwell, he ran up and down, desperately calling out to occupants and knocking on doors.
Mr Jerome tried to put out the fire of the Cambridge Street unit with a hand-held extinguisher.
The qualified electrician also searched for the main switchboard so he could turn the electricity off.
Ambulance officers on scene noticed that Mr Jerome's health was deteriorating. He suffered a seizure and cardiac arrest. He could not be revived.
Although he is not alive to accept his heroic award, his family take comfort in knowing his final act of courage will long live in their memories.
"My son Chris, sister Louise and I were completely in shock when we got the nomination letter," Mr Jerome's daughter, Nicole, said.
"Although our father and Pop has gone and our hearts have a great hole in them we are grateful that he is remembered for his heroic act."
Governor-General, Peter Cosgrove, says this year's recipients are outstanding Australians who, without thought of personal risk, displayed courage and bravery to protect or defend others.
"They are a source of courage, support and inspiration, and we are a stronger, safer and more caring nation because of them," he said.
"Sadly, there are some whose brave acts mean they are no longer with us. To their families, I express the nation's sadness at your loss but pride in your loved one's actions.
"The Australian Honours System provides a wonderful mechanism through which we as a nation can recognise and celebrate ordinary people who do extraordinary things. These awards honour those who, without pause, put themselves at personal risk to protect others. They deserve our nation's gratitude."
