Brave Luke honoured
A BOY who phoned for help and stayed with his mother after she was hit unconscious with a sledgehammer has been honoured for his bravery.
Luke Gagliardi recently received the Bronze Medal and 2014 Rupert Wilks Trophy for the most outstanding act of bravery by a child 12 years or under, at Government House.
The award was presented by The Honourable Governor of Victoria, Alex Chernov, AC QC.
He was 12 when he helped his mother Carla Gagliardi after she was attacked by her former fiancé, Hugh Marshall, at Trida on April 1, 2012.
At 8.15pm Luke and his mother were at home when Mr Mashall forced his way into their home.
They locked themselves in the bathroom and called the police for help.
Mr Marshall forced the bathroom door open and struck Ms Gagliardi several times with a sledge hammer. She managed to throw her mobile phone to Luke who called 000, and requested the police and ambulance.
Mr Marshall continued to hit her until she was unconscious and he then left.
Luke remained with his mother until emergency services arrived.
Mr Marshall was jailed for 10 and a half years for the attack.
Ms Gagliardi was instrumental in changes to Victorian law this year that resulted in family violence victims being able to speak publicly about their experiences and have the perpetrator’s details made public
Courageous feat: Luke Gagliardi received the Bronze Medal and 2014 Rupert Wilks Trophy from The Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC, Governor of Victoria.
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