Sam Edmends' hands were shaking as he called the police, but the 11-year-old knew he had to do something to help his mum.
He'd gone into his parents' room on a Sunday morning after hearing a long argument between them, and he saw his dad choking his mum and holding her down on the bed.
"I was thinking, 'If he keeps going, I don't know if I'm going to have a mum'," Sam said.
"I've got to save my mum and separate them."
Still in his pyjamas, Sam tried to physically pull his dad off, but his dad pushed him away.
"I heard Mum struggling to say, 'Get the police, get the police'," he said.
Sam went to the other end of the house and dialled triple zero, telling the operator his address before his dad knocked the phone out of his hand.
Police arrived at the house shortly afterwards.
Recognition for a brave act
Now 14, Sam is being recognised for the actions he took in that scary moment he faced at his home in Wendouree, on Ballarat's fringes, three years ago.
He's been awarded a Commendation for Brave Conduct after being nominated by his grandma.
Sam is one of 62 people being recognised in the latest round of the Australian Bravery Awards.
Sam remembers receiving a letter of congratulations from the Governor-General's office in the mail and opening it up in his bedroom.
"I felt relieved and proud," he said. "I don't think many 11-year-olds do that very often."
The high school student said the incident had given him more confidence in himself, and brought him closer to both of his parents.
Sam said other young people who found themselves in a similar situation should never be afraid to call for help from police.
'We look out for each other'
Sam's mum, Jodie Edmends, said she was impressed by her then "small, scrawny" young son's attempt to physically protect her.
Ms Edmends has separated from her former partner, who was convicted of assault and spent time in jail over the incident, but said he still played a significant role in the lives of Sam and his little sister.
She said the moment had given them a special bond, and she was proud of her son.
"We look out for each other," she said.
