A rare bravery award has been put on public display to give Christchurch residents a permanent reminder of their heroism after the city's earthquakes.

The Royal Humane Society of New Zealand's gold medal was unveiled at the Christchurch City Council's offices yesterday.

The gold medal was the first to be awarded by the society since the Wahine disaster in 1968 and was given to recognise the "many acts of conspicuous bravery and humanity" in the city after the February 2011 quake.

The medal was presented to Mayor Bob Parker at the earthquake memorial service this year.

Parker said he was honoured to accept the medal on behalf of the city's residents.

"This is the people's medal. It's to every single citizen of Christchurch," he said.

"No matter what you were doing or where you were, everyone in this city on February 22, 2011, displayed great bravery and great courage."

To read the complete article, see:Bravery award is 'people's medal'(www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/7698479/
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