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Heroes

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Ahmed al Ahmed receives his novelty cheque from his hospital bed.

‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie’: Ahmed al Ahmed receives $2.5 million cheque in hospital bed

The hero bystander of the Bondi Beach attack implored his newfound global following to “stand with each other”, as he declared Australia the “best country in the world”.

  • Daniel Lo Surdo

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The Bondi heroes.

Four heroes tried to stop the Bondi terrorists. Three paid with their lives

These are the moments bystanders tried to disarm gunman Sajid Akram. Two of them died in each other’s arms. 

  • Eryk Bagshaw, David Barwell, Siena Fagan and Sherryn Groch
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In strife-torn times, two Sydney heroes show us the way forward

Many certainties seem to be unravelling, but a pair of western Sydney doctors remind us of the values that stand.

  • The Herald's View
Ways to be an ‘active’ bystander are simpler than most people think.

Do you know what to do if you see someone being harassed in the street?

Many bystanders fail to act because they don’t know what to do, or they assume someone else will step up. But de-escalating confrontation is easier than most people think.

  • Courtney Kruk
Rod Patterson, who was stabbed in the head in the Bourke Street terror attack, still struggles mentally.

‘It wasn’t my time to die’: Bourke Street terror attack hero receives bravery award

A Melbourne man who survived the 2018 Bourke Street terror attack has received a national bravery award.

  • Carolyn Webb
Julian Assange

Hero, villain, or both? Untangling Assange’s divisive legacy

The Herald published two opinion pieces on Julian Assange. One was objective – the other revealed a superior tone conveying mockery, derision and oversimplification.

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Tom, 15, and Harry Linehan, 13, rescued a man who had capsized in his kayak at Sorrento Beach near Hillarys.

‘He could have drowned’: How these young surf lifesavers rescued a kayaker off the WA coast

The brothers’ bravery was recognised at an Australia Day awards ceremony on Friday, where they were presented with the Young Community Citizen of the Year award. 

  • Holly Thompson
Former NSW judge Wayne Haylen.

The draft-dodging ‘coward’ brave enough to collar a would-be killer

In his 20s, now-retired NSW judge Wayne Haylen was called a coward for burning his Vietnam conscription card, but a conspicuous act of bravery silenced his critics.

  • Peter FitzSimons
Roberts-Smith in front of his portrait at the Australian War Memorial in 2014.

No heroes any more? Yes there are, you just need to know where to look

Those with a moral centre are the ones we should hail as heroic, and they are all around us, hiding in plain sight.

  • Kerri Sackville
Patients exercising at Kew Asylum.

A woman’s mental health is still being used as a weapon against her

Apparently we come into the world judged insane before having to prove we’re rational. This attitude underlines what a mess the mental health system continues to be.

  • Eliza Reilly