Even though she was only 13 at the time, Ruth Dhurrkay did not think twice about stepping in to help her friend who was being stabbed by a man with a machete.
For her actions, the Northern Territorian, who is now 15, has been recognised with one of Australia's highest bravery awards — the Star of Courage.
On October 30, 2018, Ruth and her best friend Sharona, who was then 12, were still out at 3:00am in Galiwin'ku, Elcho Island, 500 kilometres east of Darwin.
Sharona's boyfriend, then 18, was allegedly high on spray paint.
"Sharona got tired … [and] wanted to go home," Ruth said.
"He was following her, stopping her and telling her to come back.
"And then he swung the machete at her.
"At first I thought he was slapping her with the machete, then I saw all the marks and scars on my best friend's arms."
'Brave but not a hero'
Sharona suffered head and arm injuries and was losing blood.
"I pushed him and punched him away from her and stopped him from attacking her," Ruth said.
"I pushed him three times and I told him to walk away."
Ruth, who also sustained injuries, helped Sharona to a neighbour's house.
"They tried to make her stop bleeding but they couldn't," Ruth said.
"The pain was the most pain she ever felt."
The alarm was raised and Sharona was brought to the local clinic.
"I was not scared," Ruth said.
"I'm brave but not a hero.
"I don't even have any superpowers."
NT Police said the matter was still before the courts.
A conspicuous display of courage
Ruth's great-grandad, Reverend Alan Maratja, was beaming.
"It's something she will remember for an act that she did to support and help other people," he said.
"I'm really, really honoured for her to have that bravery award."
Governor-General David Hurley singled out Ruth's bravery when announcing the award.
"Ruth Dhurrkay displayed conspicuous courage by stopping a violent attack," he said.
"She acted without thought for her own safety and saved a 12-year-old who was being assaulted by a youth with a machete."
