Rory Davey, a 19-year-old part-time surf lifesaver and current full-time hero at Bondi Beach. His bravery in saving Levi Xu during last year’s tragic mass shooting makes him a hero in everyone’s hearts. Thanks to Davey’s rapid response, Xu’s life was saved. It provided him a feeling of security in the middle of the disorder.
The shooting took place that sunny afternoon as beachgoers fled the sound of gunfire in fear. Davey, who is employed by the Waverley Council as a lifeguard, jumped into action without thinking twice about it. Even with the barrage of gunfire continuing to fill the air, he ran into an exposed area to help Xu, who was panicking.
As Davey got to Xu, he spoke to him in a calm voice, telling him, “It’s clear now.” This seemingly innocuous phrase was hugely reassuring to Xu, who was consumed by panic. In an act of heroism, Davey helped Xu and his friend onto a rescue board and escorted them back to the safety of the beach.
Following the incident, Xu thanked Davey, noting that the lifeguard’s actions saved his life in a very real sense. “He saved my life. I wanted to say thanks to him, even though I didn’t know his name,” Xu stated. His appreciation for that inspired an unexpected dinner meeting between the two. At that meeting, Xu learned about the extraordinary person who selflessly rushed to his aide when he needed help the most.
In emotionally charged testimony, Xu recalled in disturbing detail that traumatic day. Even as an adult, he could feel his muscles knot and his nerves jangle as the cannon fired. “I kept hearing the gun firing sounds coming from one place, and the gunman was right in front of me,” he said. Such poignant memories made him feel threatened even when back on the shore. When I returned to the coast, my first reaction was to cower on some level. I had to walk on the edge of the walls,” he continued.
Rory Davey inside the E.G. Smith Bridge at the time of the incident. He noted that his cop colleagues would have immediately decided to run for cover or rescue people in peril without hesitation. “There wouldn’t even have been a second thought about whether they stay in the cover of the buggy or go out and rescue the two swimmers,” he said, showcasing the camaraderie and bravery among lifeguards.
That decision not only saved Xu. It spurred him to be an advocate for other people in similar situations going forward. “It is important to me. I need to do it so that I can drop my mental burden and move on,” Xu noted, indicating a desire to channel his experience into positive action.
Xu used his last speech to profess his love for Australia and its people. “I fell in love with Australia – I love the bravery and kindness of people. Many people are very warm-hearted. Once you engage with them, you can just sense their warmth,” he added.
Rory Davey’s impact has been felt beyond those he has worked directly with. Hearing the news, a fellow lifeguard called him courageous but that every lifeguard would have done the same thing in those circumstances.
