Now here's a genuine role model... an 'accidental hero' who has a huge impact on everyone he meets.

Paul de Waard, the Dutch back packer and hero of Melbourne's CBD shootings, has received a bravery award from the Royal Humane Society of Australasia at Victoria's Government House. And it's thoroughly deserved too.

All Melbournians remember that horrific day in June 2007. During the morning peak in the heart of the city, Christopher Hudson dragged Kaera Douglas out of a taxi by her hair. She was screaming in fear and pain.

Passers by lawyer Brendan Keilar and tourist Paul de Waard stepped in to help the distressed woman.

Hudson shot Brendan, Paul and Kaera at point blank range. Tragically Brendan died at the scene.

According to doctors, Paul went as close to dying as you can go without actually dying. He's spent the past 17 months in rehab at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, then at home in Holland. He still has to walk with a cane. He'll never recover 100 per cent.

Kaera, too, has spent a long time in rehab and getting her life together. Hudson was recently sentenced to 35 years jail.

I was fortunate to meet Paul de Waard during his courageous rehab a year ago in Holland. It was strenuous, time consuming and exceedingly frustrating for him, but he's such a likeable bloke with a quick, easy smile. You couldn't help but be impressed with his grace, dignity and steely determination.

When he returned to Melbourne early this month, he came to our home with his girlfriend and mother for a traditional Aussie barbie and his favourite cans of Victoria Bitter; little green men, as he referred to them!

I have two sons aged 16 and 13. They had heard Paul's story many times from me and through the media.

But as Paul sat at the table and opened up about the day of the shooting and his struggle since, I watched my sons. They sat with mouths wide open, entranced by the stories.

Paul told them what it was really like to be shot; obviously very, very different to the videogames, TV shows and movies they see virtually every day.

He talked about his time in hospital, his heart stopped three times in the 24 hours after the shooting, and what he could recall from being in a coma.

He spoke of his admiration for Brendan Keilar and his desire to meet his family in private.

He was striking in his lack of bitterness towards Christopher Hudson; rather, he deliberately kept him out of his mind, never even thought about him.

Most importantly, Paul said he never hesitated to step in and help Kaera Douglas and despite everything he'd been through, had absolutely no regrets. He would do the same thing again tomorrow,if required.

We hear so much about role models for young men: sportspeople, reality TV personalities, rock stars. But none will ever go near to a quiet chat with Paul De Waard.

He's an ordinary bloke called upon to do something extraordinary.

He didn't hesitate.

There were horrible consquences and he's copped them with no complaints and a quiet confidence he did the right thing.

My sons have been talking about their night with this genuine hero ever since. I hope they never forget it.

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