By NATALIE GALLENTI
KARLY Jones is one cool-headed teenager, and she has the award to prove it.
The Brookfield resident faced a machete-wielding bandit last year while working at a restaurant in Melton South, and despite her young age remained calm and offered emergency response callers a description of the offender which led to his arrest.
A year on and the 16-year-old was among 21 other brave youngsters to be presented with the Junior Triple Zero Hero Awards by Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells.
The humble Staughton College student, who still works at the restaurant, told Star she was proud to receive the award and fortunately has moved on from the incident.
“When it happened, it took a while to register what was happening … I had to speak to the operator because my boss couldn’t really understand,” Karly said.
“I was a bit jumpy after the event, but the lady I spoke to was so helpful.”
Proud mum Linda said she was shocked by the event, but not by Karly’s calm response.
Ms Jones said her daughter had volunteered with St John Ambulance and has had to deal with a range of situations.
“She’s very good in all situations … it’s her personality,” she said.
Ms Jones also praised her daughter’s hard working ethic, and said she was back at work within a few days of the incident.
Mr Wells said the awards acknowledged the courage of young Victorians who helped their family, friends, colleagues and neighbours in life-threatening situations by calling triple-zero.
He said each recipient was an example to all Victorians on how to use triple-zero appropriately.
“Through your bravery and courage, you have not only helped someone in trouble, but you have demonstrated to your schools, families and friends how to respond in an emergency,” Mr Wells said.
“The bravery of Victoria’s Triple Zero Heroes is remarkable, considering how emergency situations send most adults into a panic.”
