14-Year-Old Bondi Beach Hero Shot While Protecting Two Children Receives Special Honour
Bondi Beach Hero Shot While Protecting Children Receives Special Honour
A teenager who risked her own life to protect two young children during the Bondi Beach terrorist attack has received widespread recognition for her courage.
Chaya Dadon, 14, was sheltering beneath a bench when she heard people desperately calling for help. Seeing two young children exposed to gunfire, she left her hiding place and covered them with her body.
During the terrifying ordeal, Chaya was shot in the leg but continued focusing on the children’s safety. She later spent four days in hospital and began recovering from her injuries.
Her actions became one of the moving stories of bravery to emerge from the December 2025 attack in Sydney, which killed 15 people and left many others injured. Chaya has also been nominated for Australian of the Year.
Her story has touched many people, highlighting the courage shown by ordinary individuals who put others’ safety before their own during moments of extreme danger.
