‘I didn’t even hesitate, I just did it’: 92-year-old Ian Halliburton honoured for heroic Commandos rescue

More than 60 years after rescuing a mate off the coast of Victoria, a brave Carey Park man has been recognised for his heroic actions.

Last week, 92-year-old Ian Halliburton was awarded a bravery medal by the Australian Commando Association for his actions during a training session in 1960, when the team’s vessels were caught in unforeseen weather conditions in the Bass Strait.

A sudden shift in the conditions saw the group of 75 commandoes at the mercy of the waves, it wasn’t long before Mr Halliburton realised fellow commando Barry Higgins was missing.

Even now, 63 years on, he still remembers the fateful night in great detail.

“I was meant to stay back as I was a signaller, but I wanted to go on the exercise, so I convinced them to let someone else take over,” he said.

“The waves were honestly about 12-feet high, and when they eventually tipped the Zodiac over, we all fell out.

“I realised that Barry wasn’t there so I thought he must be still stuck, that’s when I dived underneath, grabbed him and dragged him out.

“I didn’t even hesitate, I just did it.”

A major story in local news at the time, Mr Halliburton even shared how he was listed among the lives lost in the newspaper the following day.

Now a resident at Ingenia Gardens Carey Park, the brave man said he was “honoured” to be acknowledged for his actions.

“It was a complete surprise, I feel quite honoured really,” he said.

“I usually go over to Victoria each year for an ACA reunion but I couldn’t get there this year, so it’s really lovely for them to come over and give it to me.”

Ingenia Gardens Carey Park community manager Trudy Turner said the award came as no surprise to the team.

“His intelligence and industrious nature are evident in everything he does, and he is truly a quiet achiever,” she said.

“He has been active in the community all his life and we’re very glad to have him here with us.”