Sam Issacs' medal

This small medal tells a big story which has become one of Western Australia’s great accounts of bravery. Sam Issacs, a Noongar stockman, was awarded this bronze medal by the Royal Humane Society in 1878. It was awarded in recognition of his bravery in rescuing 54 people from the SS Georgette as it floundered off Redgate Beach in 1876. A silver medal was awarded to Grace Bussell, who was 16 years old at the time, and was with Issacs in the desperate rescue mission. Grace Bussell received many accolades for her bravery, including having the town of Gracetown named after her. In addition to this bronze medal, Issacs was allocated 100 hectares of land, becoming the first Aboriginal person to be given land by the Western Australian government. Recent research has shone a light on the role of the crew and local families in the rescue effort.