The Village Motors Dolphins senior squads were transfixed by stories of courage, bravery and mateship when Victoria Cross for Australia recipient Daniel Keighran attended training on Monday night. The Victoria Cross for Australia is the highest award in the Australian honours system and Daniel is one of only four to have ever received the award.
Daniel, originally from Nambour, joined the Australian Army in 2000 and served in Afghanistan, East Timor and Iraq. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions while serving with the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, in a fire fight with insurgents during the Battle of Derapet on 24 August 2010. During the battle, Daniel repeatedly put himself in the line of enemy fire to draw away from a team treating a battle casualty. His actions were key in allowing the Coalition forces to withdraw without further casualties.
Chairman Bob Jones said in his introduction that some may not realise what it takes to be recognised with such an honour. “I can’t even describe how special this is. These are acts of courage and bravery you or I can’t even begin to imagine,” Bob told over 90 players and staff who gathered at the Dolphins Academy to hear Daniel speak.
