An Ipswich mother who selflessly stepped between a terrified teenager and an armed attacker has been awarded Queensland’s highest civilian bravery honour. Nicole Law was presented with the prestigious Clarke Gold Medal at a ceremony in Brisbane, recognising her extraordinary courage during a terrifying bow-and-arrow rampage in 2020.

A Direct Confrontation with Danger

In September 2020, Ms. Law was conducting her routine grocery shopping in the Ipswich suburb of Booval when she heard the desperate screams of a 15-year-old girl. While other bystanders fled for safety, the mother of two made the split-second decision to walk directly toward the danger.

"I didn't feel any fear at the time," Ms. Law recalled. "All I knew was that this young girl was crying for help."

Upon finding the teenager, who had already sustained an arrow wound to her hand, Ms. Law shielded the girl behind her. When the attacker emerged around the corner, Ms. Law stood her ground and calmly initiated a conversation to defuse the highly volatile situation.

Defusing the Threat

The attacker, identified as then-28-year-old Benjamin Bourke, was confronted not with violence, but with empathy. Ms. Law engaged him in conversation, asking what was happening and why he was carrying out the attack. Bourke expressed that he had recently fallen on hard times after being struck by a vehicle.

"I just basically said to him, 'Well, that’s a really tough time for you,'" Ms. Law said. Her calm demeanour disarmed the attacker, who subsequently dropped his weapons and surrendered his focus before being tackled by bystanders and arrested by police.

Bourke was later sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted murder. Court proceedings revealed that prior to the confrontation, Bourke had targeted an Indigenous woman in a racially motivated attack and had contemplated attacking another woman with a baby.

Recognised with the Clarke Gold Medal

Ms. Law's heroism was celebrated at the Royal Humane Society of Australasia’s Bravery Medals ceremony, an event sponsored by His Majesty King Charles III. Queensland Governor Dr. Jeannette Young presented Ms. Law with the Clarke Gold Medal, the highest honour of the event.

The presentation had been postponed from 2024 to ensure Ms. Law could receive the medal in person from the Governor. "That's unbelievable, thank you, you saved her life," Governor Young told Ms. Law during the ceremony.

The ceremony also honoured other local heroes, including three Sunshine Coast surfers who braved a severe storm rip in April 2021 to rescue two struggling swimmers.

A Legacy of Decency

Reflecting on the life-changing events of nearly six years ago, Ms. Law expressed relief and comfort in hearing that the victim—now an adult—is doing well and rebuilding her life with family support.

Ms. Law intends to pass the historic medal down to her grandson as an enduring symbol of courage and moral responsibility. "I hope they're proud of me, especially my two boys and my grandson," she said. "It’s just something special for them to have, and to know it's okay to be a decent person."