"They were awarded
the Ordre National du Merite,
one of
France's highest distinctions,
on Thursday at NSW Parliament
for their courageous efforts on April 13, 2024.
'In the hour of danger when dozens of lives were at risk...
they ran towards the violence,
they chose to put their lives on the line,'
Premier Chris Minns said.
'The sad and hard truth is we don't know how bad this tragedy could've been without their intervention.
'(You) will always be heroes of this state.'
French Ambassador Pierre-Andre Imbert,
who presented the blue coloured medals to the two French friends,
praised them for their humility
and deliberately staying out of the limelight after the events.
'They acted not out of duty, but out of instinct',
he said.
The pair's actions in attempting to hold back the assailant prompted French President Emmanuel Macron at the time to commend the courage of the compatriots.
Silas Despreaux and Damien Guero
are pictured with hero cop Inspector Amy Scott.
All three confronted Cauchi during his stabbing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13."