Brisbane man Trevor Ronald Burns is to received the prestigious Star of Courage award for rescuing a woman from a shark attack in Perth.
Mr Burns was holidaying in Perth with his family in October 2010 when they took part in a dolphin encounter at Rockingham with about 40 other people.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Many had gone back to the boat, but about 12 people remained in the water with a guide, looking for a baby dolphin that kept ducking around with its mother.
"They were obviously aware of the shark, and we weren't," he told AAP.
Mr Burns said when the guide was attacked by the 3.5m shark, it took a "double bite" at her legs.
He thought it was a dolphin when it brushed past his hand, until he saw the blood in the water.
"I just thought, 'Get it off her,' because she was only about a metre away from me," he said.
Mr Burns grabbed the shark's tail but it thrashed around before finally releasing its grip and swimming away.
Other tourists swam back to the boat when the alarm went off, but Mr Burns dived back into the water to find the injured woman.
"I couldn't see anything, but I knew there was no way she was coming back without help," he said.
The woman survived the attack but suffered significant leg injuries which required more than 200 stitches and several operations.
Mr Burns was also hurt, before he entered the water, slipping on the boat and injuring his ribs.
The pain was quickly forgotten as the drama unfolded.
"Adrenaline is a great pain relief," he quipped, although he felt the pain for weeks later.
Mr Burns will receive the Star of Courage as part of the 38th annual Australian Bravery Awards and said he was "really proud" to accept it.
"This really got to me," he said.
"To be recognised in this way is special."
Mr Burns remains in contact with the attack victim.
There are four levels of decoraction for the bravery awards including a group bravery citation.
Many of the group honors have been awarded to rescue teams involved in the Queensland Floods over the 2010-2011 new year period. Groups such as the Swift Water Rescue teach who worked in the Lockyer Valley have been particularly well represented.
Star of Courage - For acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril
Mr Trevor Ronald Burns
Bravery Medal - For acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances
Raymond Bruckner
Stephen Edward de Lorenzo
Samuel Julian Edwards
Ernst Gomsi
Lisa Margaret Hall
Alfred John Harding,deceased
Ryan Jon Harvey
Bradley Damian Hindmarsh
Johnathon Edward Klaassen
David Eric Lowry
Inspector Bruce James McNab
Samuel James Matthews, deceased
Sollee Morris
Brett Morrissey
Bubby Kopaki Tuhiwai
Con Varela
Nathan Christopher Visscher
Russell Robert von Nida
Ross James Woodhorpe Anderson
For a full list of the Bravery Award recipients and to read their amazing stories visit the Governor General's website.
