Tehya Clarke was presented with an Ambulance Victoria Commendation today, recognising her actions in seeking medical help for her mother when she became unwell last year.

At a whole-school assembly, Ambulance Group Manager Nick Thresher presented the Commendation to Tehya.

"Without your help, your Mum wouldn't be as well as she is today," Nick said.

Tehya called 000 during the evening of December 5 when her mother, Kerrie, had a seizure. Her father was away with work and her older brother was on a school excursion, leaving her and her two younger brothers alone.

Within a minute, Tehya had called 000 and requested an ambulance.

To hear the first three minutes of Tehya's call, click on the media player below.




"I was only on the phone for five or 10 minutes," Tehya said, "but it felt like a really long time. I was really happy to see the ambulance."

Paramedic Ron Nooteboom responded to the call and ultimately nominated Tehya for the Commendation.

"Tehya did a great job explaining what was happening at home to the 000 call-taker and knew who to contact in an emergency, so I nominated her for an award," Ron said, "she's a credit to the school as well as to her family."

Ron attended an assembly at the school the Monday after the incident and presented Tehya with a teddy bear. He highlighted then the importance of knowing what to do when help is needed.

Kerrie and Trevor have ensured all their children know what to do in an emergency.

"Because I'm away with work a lot I wanted everyone at home to stay safe and know what to do if something happened," Trevor, a train driver, said.

"We are so very proud of Tehya, I think it's something we all have to teach our children. It doesn't matter how old you are, everyone can do it."




Channel 7 also attended the presentation today, interviewing the Clarke family for tonight's news. Reporter Michael Scanlan is pictured interviewing Tehya and Kerrie along with Cameraman Richard Hall. From left, DPS Principal Paul Holmes, Ambulance Victoria's Amelia Harris, Paramedic Ron Nooteboom, Liam, Kynan, Trevor and Seamus Clarke, Bert Pilmore and Janet Clarke.