A Perth mother who lost her life saving her pregnant daughter from a brutal knife attack by the dead woman's former partner has been posthumously awarded Australia's second highest bravery award.
Angela Ferullo will receive the Star of Courage for her actions defending her 22-week pregnant daughter during a knife attack by Ms Ferullo's former partner James Payet at her hairdressing salon in Como on June 24, 2013.
Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove announced the recipients of the national honours for bravery on Monday.
The Star of Courage is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril.
A client who was in the salon during the attack, Margaret Alexander-Kew, was awarded the Bravery Medal.
In an attack that shocked Perth, Ms Ferullo, 43, and Selina Bello, 22 at the time, were seriously injured and taken to Royal Perth Hospital but Ms Ferullo died soon after.
Announcing the award, the statement reveals the full horror of the attack that winter morning.
Ms Angela Ferullo rescued her pregnant daughter from being attacked by a man armed with two hunting knives in Como, Western Australia.
Ms Ferullo was assisting at her daughter's hairdressing salon when her former partner entered the shop wielding two hunting knives.
The offender demanded to see Ms Ferullo who was at the rear of the salon.
Unable to locate her, the offender then pushed his stepdaughter onto the ground and started stabbing her.
Ms Ferullo had seen the offender enter the store and called 000.
On hearing the cries for help from her daughter she rushed to her aid and found her lying on the floor wounded with the offender still striking at her.
Ms Ferullo threw herself over her daughter to protect her from any further injury. The offender then began to strike at Ms Ferullo, before dragging her off her daughter and towards the front door of the salon.
Cowering on the floor, Ms Ferullo was repeatedly being attacked. A client in the salon came to the aid of Ms Ferullo and attempted to push the offender away from her using a heavy chair.
The offender began to attack the client before shoving her out of the way. The client recovered and again attempted to keep the offender away from Ms Ferullo. Soon after, the offender exited the salon.
Unfortunately Ms Ferullo later passed away as a result of her injuries. By her actions, Ms Ferullo displayed conspicuous courage.
Injured by Payet, Mrs Alexander-Kew was recognised for her bravery and quick actions during the attack.
Mrs Alexander-Kew acted swiftly and, using a heavy chair, attempted to push the offender away from the victim.
The offender dodged the chair and began attacking Mrs Alexander-Kew, punching her in the jaw and stabbing her before shoving her out of the way.
She recovered and again attempted to keep the offender away from his former partner.
Soon after the offender exited the salon. Disregarding her own injuries, Mrs Alexander-Kew locked the front door and dialled 000.
The Bravery Medal is awarded for acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.
Payet was jailed last year for life and is elgible for parole after serving 24 years in prison.
Days before the attack, Ms Ferullo had made a haunting public posting on Facebook.
"Troubled minds breed contempt... If it's broken... Fix it... If it can't be fixed... U know you tried... If you tried...Don't take on the guilt that others lay out... Your life path is chosen and made by ones self... So if you want change... Change it yourself The rest will follow..."
Other West Australian bravery award recipients are:
Saliya Kulasekera, Perth – Bravery Medal
Murray Frean, Ellenbrook – Commendation for Brave Conduct
Sergeant Jason Mercer, WA Police – Commendation for Brave Conduct
Aron Crowhurst, Applecross – Group Bravery Citation
Brian Gillett, Perth – Group Bravery Citation
James Gray, WA – Group Bravery Citation
