Norman Reginald SHUTTLEWORTH [5412]

  General Notes:

The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 - 1954) Fri 4 Aug 1950 Page 1 15 Hours In Shaft With
15 Hours ln Shaft With Broken Back
With his back broken, a 9-year-old boy lay for 15 hours in an 80 foot mine shaft at Stawell before being rescued on Wednesday.

He is Kevin Nikkelson, of Curtis Road, Stawell. The boy was rescued by Messrs. Arthur and Norman Shuttleworth, with a sling chair and safety belt at 3.30 a.m. on Wednesday.

At midday Tuesday, Kevin went to play with two school mates at Big Hill near what was originally a 300 foot mine shaft, but was filled in by the Mines Department last month. A blockage moved by recent rains resulted in the new 80 foot shaft.

During their game, Kevin ran up a six foot mound of earth and vanished. Along with other children the boys had been warned not to play near Big Hill. Fearing the consequences the boys returned to school and said nothing about Kevin.

Late Tuesday evening one of the boys mentioned to Mr. Pollock, of Stawell West. that Kevin "had fallen down a big hole that afternoon.'

Kevin's father was away working with the C.R.B. and his mother was in Stawell District Hospital. The police obtained information from one of the boys at 10.30 pm.

They went with the boy to Big Hill where he pointed out the hole to them. 'They called down the hole and Kevin replied.

Rescue efforts were begun with the help of a breakdown lorry belonging to Mr. John C. Nalder and house removing equipment brought by Mr Albert Ross.

Mr. Shuttleworth was lowered down the hole in a sling chair and safety belt. He placed the boy across his knee and the chair was hauled up. By this time it was 3.30 a.m.

Dr. G. P. Jeffree, who had been at the scene since 10.30 p.m. examined the boy who was taken to the Stawell Hospital suffering from a broken back. His condition is reported as serious.

The boy's father was working in Horsham and did not know of the accident until he heard it in a news broadcast on Wednesday. He was taken to Stawell immediately.


The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Wed 19 Dec 1951 Page 7 HUMANE SOCIETY AWARDS:
HUMANE SOCIETY AWARDS:
Spirit of Valor
"Still Lives On"
The State Governor (Sir Dallas Brooks) told winners of Royal Humane Society awards yesterday that their deeds proved the spirit of valor and adventure, shown in two world wars, still lived on.
In a simple, but moving, ceremony recipients from all walks of life and of all ages received their certificates, and medals from the Governor at Government House. "You people typify the finest qualities. of citizenship- courage and bravery, " Sir Dallas Brooks told the select gathering.
Paddy McBrien, a neatly dressed seven - year - old schoolboy, who received the bronze medal, "stole the show." Hardly as high as the Governor's waist, the young, fairhaired lad stood erect, completely at ease, as the society secretary (Mr. L. J. Stephens) read the citation:
"Paddy McBrien rescued Louise and Juanita Letterman, aged two years and 15 months respectively, from a burning house at Warracknabeal on January 25, 1951. - . "Noticing the house on fire, he first wheeled a third baby in a pram on the verandah to safety, entered . the burning house, let down the side of one cot and carried Juanita out to the rear, and returned for Louise. He passed, the flames four times." ' Hand in Hand

When the ceremony had finished and the gathering had adjourned outside Government House, the Governor and Paddy (with his medal affixed to his coat) walked hand in hand, meeting others.
' The following received awards:- SILVER MEDAL.- Roy Hilary Gorham, North Carlton, cleaner, who rescued Stanley Gittos, who was attacked by a polar bear at the Zoological Gardens on March 15, 1950; and James Robertson McCulley, Hawthorn, able seaman, who rescued Allan Lansley, pilot, near the entrance to Macquarie Harbor, Strahan, Tasmania, on July 17, 1950.
BRONZE MEDAL: Erica Ruth Starick, Dimboola; Norman Reginald Shuttleworth, Stawell; Graeme Ernest J. Wood,- Coburg, Paddy McBrien, Hamilton: Wallace Orsborne Cameron, Loch;

Some family trees have Norman Reginald's death date as 1984 but to date I have found no proof of this

Norman married Myrtle Elizabeth BURKE [8505] [MRIN: 2758] in 1930 in , Victoria, Australia.⁴⁹²⁸ (Myrtle Elizabeth BURKE [8505] was born in 1910 ⁴⁹³¹ and died in 1967 in Parkville, Vic, Australia ⁴⁹³¹.)