HEROES of a dramatic flood rescue at Wedderburn in the 2024 summer storms have received Victoria Police commendations.
Gabby Huisman, Andrew Roberts, Matthew Tansley, Will and Scott Cunningham and Wedderburn police Sgt Ben Huisman and Senior Constable Rueben Larson were presented with certificates last Wednesday.
Presentations of the certificates signed by the regional assistant commissioner were made at a private ceremony at Wedderburn police station by Superintendent Brad Dixon
The locals heroes rescued a man trapped in his vehicle in the swollen Nardoo Creek in January 2023.
Surging floodwaters had pushed the man’s vehicle further down the creek.
The man, aged 60, and his dog were rescued by off-duty Sgt Huisman and Mr Roberts who were fitted with safety equipment waded into the creek wbile Mr Tansley, Mr Cunningham and his 15-year-old son Will who held the rope.
Mrs Huisman and Senior Constable Larson were also part of the local rescue effort.
Within hours of the rescue, the Loddon Herald reported that Sgt Huisman and Mr Roberts had gone into waist-deep in water. 
“And it was flowing,” Sgt Huisman said.
“Andrew and I carried the man out of the water ... it was a real community effort.”
Sgt Huisman said the man had been lucky that vehicle did not flip when it was pushed into the creek at Tantalla Street.
“That was sheer luck,” he said.
“Once we rescued the man, the car kept floating and then became submerged.”