Halls Creek resident Geoff Fletcher has been awarded a Bravery Medal under the National Honours System.

The citation reads: "On the evening of May 19, 1998, Mr Fletcher rescued an elderly man who was being attacked by a pack of dogs at Halls Creek.

"At approximately 9pm, an elderly man was attacked by a pack of between 20 and 30 dogs, resulting in a serious injury to the man.

"Mr Fletcher, hearing the dogs' barking and cries for help from the man, drove his vehicle to the scene to investigate.

"He saw the man lying on the ground, being savaged by the dogs.

"Realising the victim's situation, Mr Fletcher stopped his vehicle beside the man, alighted from his car and went to the man's aid.

"Mr Fletcher had to beat off several dogs as they attacked him during his attempts to drag the injured man into his car.

"However, he succeeded in dragging the man into his car, and then drove him to the local hospital for treatment.

"By his actions, Mr Fletcher displayed considerable bravery."

>Geoff chose to have the medal presented among friends at a simple open-air ceremony in Town Park, Halls Creek, on Wednesday at 10.30am.

An elder of the Gidja people, he is also an accomplished artist, and a country and western singer with several solo albums to his credit.

Geoff lives at Mardiwah Loop, Halls Creek, with his wife and several grandchildren.