The 14-year-old who dived from a bridge to rescue a drowning woman, and the teenager who waded in to help him, have both been nominated for a bravery award.
Corey Warburton dived from the Grafton Bridge into the Clarence River, on NSW's north coast, after spotting a 70-year-old woman floating face down in the water on Monday.
Corey said he initially thought the woman was dead.
"I saw her move her hand towards her face and I kind of, without hesitation, ripped me shirt off and me shoes and dove in," he said on Wednesday.
Michael Bethune, 16, saw what was happening and jumped into the river to help pull the woman to safety when Corey was having difficulty getting her to shore through long reeds.
"This was an extreme act of bravery from both boys and must not go unrecognised," NSW Premier Morris Iemma said on Thursday.
"That's why I have nominated them both for a Community Service Award."
Corey managed to keep the woman afloat for more than 20 minutes while he swam 80 metres, but long reeds hindered his attempt to bring her to shore.
"I wasn't really feeling any emotion," he said, "or the cold or the water, because all I really wanted to do was get myself and the lady to safety."
Mr Iemma said both Corey and Michael showed true Australian spirit when they put their own lives in danger to help another person.
"They didn't stop to think about their own safety, they simply did what had to be done to help someone in need," he said.
"I applaud their bravery and selflessness and I look forward to presenting them with their awards personally."