Eight to be awarded for bravery in Bondi Junction stabbing in Sydney

Eight Australians who stepped in to protect strangers during the deadly Bondi Junction stabbing will be recognised for their bravery.

The tragedy, which killed six people and injured ten, took place exactly two years ago in a crowded Sydney shopping centre. The attacker, Joel Cauchi, was suffering a psychotic episode when he walked into the centre armed with a knife.

Among those who will be recognised are a police officer who shot Cauchi, as well as two Frenchmen and a security guard who also tried to disarm him.

Two victims - a mother who saved her baby in her dying moments and a security guard who was fatally stabbed on his first day shift - will receive posthumous awards.

Six people - Dawn Singleton, 25; Yixuan Cheng, 27; Jade Young, 47; Ashlee Good, 38; Faraz Tahir, 30; and Pikria Darchia, 55 - died during the attack in April 2024.

Ten others were injured before New South Wales (NSW) police inspector Amy Scott shot Cauchi dead after he lunged at her with a knife. Cauchi, who was first diagnosed with schizophrenia in his teens, was unmedicated and homeless at the time of the attack.

Scott will receive one of six bravery medals as part of the Australian Bravery Decorations honours list, recognising those who put themselves in danger during the tragedy.

"From different parts of Australia, and around the world, these Bravery honourees are characterised by their selfless, courageous, and determined response in unspeakable and horrific circumstances," Australia's Governor-General Sam Mostyn said.

"Every one of them showed strength, and profound courage, as they placed the safety of others above their own, demonstrating ultimate care for others."

Another bravery medal award will go to Ashlee Good, who was stabbed by Cauchi from behind as she pushed her baby daughter in a pram.

When Cauchi started to attack her baby, Good shoved him away but was stabbed again. The mother managed to get her injured baby to safety but later died.

Security guards Faraz Tahir and Muhammad Taha were patrolling one of the levels of the crowded centre when they heard "code black" on their radios before heading towards the stabber to investigate.

Tahir, who was closer to Cauchi, was fatally stabbed in the stomach. Taha was also stabbed but survived. Both will also receive bravery medals.

"It means a great deal to me," Taha told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"It gives me a lot of strength, and it's not only for me, it's for everyone who stood strong on that day."

Frenchmen Silas Despréaux and Damien Guerot will also receive bravery awards after they armed themselves with metal bollards and tried to stop Cauchi.

Noel McLaughlin, husband of victim Jade Young, and Catherine Ann Molihan, a nurse who helped people, will receive awards for brave conduct.

McLaughlin was running towards his injured wife after receiving a call from his daughter when when he saw Cauchi with the knife, shouting at others to get back. With nothing to defend himself, he was forced to retreat and went to give first aid to his wife, who later died.

Molihan, an experienced nurse, had sought refuge in a shop but left it to help the two security guards who had been stabbed.

"I held just (Tahir's) head and patted his beard and I told him he would be OK," she told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Earlier this year, a coronial inquest referred the psychiatrist who treated Cauchi for many years before the attack to health investigators.

The coroner raised concerns that the doctor may have missed opportunities to put Cauchi - first diagnosed with schizophrenia in his teens - back on medication after he was weaned off.

The coroner also made 23 recommendations including urging the NSW government to improve its mental health outreach services and provide short-term housing for people with mental health issues.