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Highlighting the Bravery of John Kenny

Published on: October 2025

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-158708

Highlighting the Bravery of John Kenny

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore)

—I would like to congratulate former SHORE student John Kenny after he was recognised with one of Australia's highest bravery awards. This heroic individual was awarded a Commendation for Brave Conduct in the Australian Bravery Decorations Honours for his brave actions during a dangerous incident in 2019. Six years ago, John was just 15 when he was a passenger on a bus, carrying students from rowing training, that was involved in a minor collision with a car on Burns Bay Road. What occurred next was truly frightening. The irate motorist that was involved in the collision verbally abused the bus driver and then boarded the bus to confront the innocent passengers. John was punched in the face and left with cuts and bruises but he managed to protect his friends and de-escalate the tense atmosphere until police arrived. John graduated from Shore three years ago and is now studying Commerce and Engineering at the University of Sydney. I wish him the very best with his studies. He is clearly an inspirational young man with a very bright future ahead.