Molly Set to Receive Award

In the upcoming weeks, Molly Stewart will receive a Certificate of Community Recognition for her brave actions when her mother, Sue, was unwell in 2019.

Molly, who will turn 20 in November, cleverly called triple zero when her mother was suffering with what initially was thought to be a migraine, which in fact turned out to be an aneurysm.

For her quick and vital thinking, Molly will receive the award from New South Wales Ambulance – approved by Commissioner Dominic Morgan, as soon as possible following the COVID-19 statewide lockdown.

Molly has also been granted a one-on-one, personal meet and greet with The Wiggles when the concert in Young can finally go ahead, as part of her recognition of her incredible actions involving her mother.

Molly has Spina Bifida, Severe Autism, and Developmental Delay.

She rarely answers the phone at home, which makes her actions even more incredible.

Sue recounted the events for The Times and spoke of Molly’s heroic actions.

“I was outside grooming my little shih tzu and felt like someone had stabbed me in the side of the head with a hot knife,” Sue said.

“The next morning, I was on the lounge, dozing on and off, and Molly said, ‘are you okay?’

“I said ‘I’m fine, I think I’ve got a migraine’.

“The next thing I know, I hear a banging on the front door. I got up, went to the door and the paramedics said that ‘Molly had called us because your head is hurting’.

“We’ve got two phones in the house, one in the kitchen and one right up the other end in my husband’s office – and that’s where she went.”

Sue said she was in disbelief when she learnt of what Molly did, as her daughter can struggle with basic tasks.

“I was shocked when they turned up at the front door. I didn’t even know Molly had the ability to do that,” Sue continued.

Sue was obliged to go in the ambulance to hospital, as the crew had gone to considerable effort to arrive at their property, six kilometres out of town.

“I thought they’ve come all this way out here; I better go with them and get checked out,” Sue admitted.

“When I got to the hospital, Doctor Ali said, ‘you either have a blockage in your artery or a bleed on the brain’ – she picked it straight away.”

Molly’s award has been sent by NSW Ambulance and is currently on its way to Harden, where a small presentation will be held at the ambulance station as soon as feasible.

“I’m hoping that we can have it presented at the Ambulance Station by Craig Nicholls who is the head there and was actually the one who picked me up on the day of the call.

“We’re hoping for it to warm up a little bit and have it at the Ambulance Station with Craig, Brian, and Doctor Ali – who wants to come over from Coota for it.”

Brian Farnsworth, a lifelong SES member, nominated Molly for the award just after the medical episode occurred in 2019. “When he found out what Molly had done, he was just astounded. So, he nominated her,” Sue said.

“Brian and one or two close friends are still coming here to help me. I had a lot more surgery after the initial one, but I’m still not fully right.”

Sue and the Stewart family are extremely appreciative of all the support they have received from the community while going through their time of need.

“Our family and neighbours have just been brilliant. We’ve had a lot of help from the community,” Sue thanked.

“Our friends in town have been fantastic too. Cooking meals and offering to drive us places.”

Sue also praised Elouera Special School in Cootamundra for their instrumental positive impact on Molly.

“I’m very grateful to Elouera School. They drum their name, address, and phone number into them and if they hadn’t done that Molly couldn’t have called for help,” Sue acknowledged.

“We are very proud of Molly, and we’re grateful to Elourea School for teaching her those important life skills because without them doing that she wouldn’t have been able to do what she did.”

Molly doesn’t yet know about her award but will see it as a nice surprise when the presentation can be held.

Tim Warren