A person holding a military medal with a gold cross and a red ribbon, featuring a crown and a shield with a star and radiating lines.

The Cross of Valour

The Cross of Valour is Australia’s highest bravery award and Australia’s highest civil Award. It is awarded for ‘Acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril’.

Allan is one of five recipients who have been awarded the bravery medal since its inception in 1975.

Five men in suits with military medals standing outside a building.
Multiple men working together at a street event, one man is shirtless and leaning into a manhole while others assist with tools and equipment.

Allan’s Story

Allan was awarded the Cross of Valour in September 1998 by the then Governor General, Sir William Dean AC, KBE, KC, for his role in the rescue of a small boy, Jai, who was swept 600 meters down a flooded stormwater pipe in Coffs Harbour in 1996.

His colleagues, crucial to saving the life of the little boy, received commendations as well. Detective Senior Constable Gavin Dengate SC, APM, VA, was honoured with Australia’s second-highest bravery award, The Star of Courage (SC), while paramedic Michael Marr BM received Australia’s third-highest bravery award, The Bravery Medal (BM).

Allan and Gavin’s bravery during this rescue was also acknowledged through the presentation of the highest award for bravery within the New South Wales Police force—the Police Commissioner’s Valour Award (VA) and the Royal Humane Society Galleghan Award for Bravery.

Official Australian government award certificate with a gold emblem featuring a crown and shield, and text recognizing Allan John Sparkes for acts of courage, signed by officials.

Further Recognition

In August 2016, Allan received Australia’s fourth highest bravery decoration, the Commendation for Brave Conduct, for saving the life of an Aboriginal man who had fallen onto train tracks at Redfern Railway Station. Additionally, in January 2017, Allan was further acknowledged in the Australia Day Honours List, where he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his outstanding service to mental health support organisations and the community. 

His accolades extend beyond bravery. In December 2012, Allan was among the select few Australians to be presented with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and in 2022, he earned the distinction of being one of only 10 Australians to receive the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal. September 2022 marked another significant event in Allan’s distinguished journey, as he travelled to London to represent the Cross of Valour recipients of Australia. Invited by St James Palace, he participated in the Chivalry and Gallantry Procession during the funeral ceremony of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Additionally, Allan also joined the exclusive group of 10 Australians awarded the King’s Coronation Medal.

Allan has also been awarded the National Police Medal for Service, the National Medal, and the NSW Police Diligent and Ethical Service Medal.

An elderly man in a suit with a striped tie, wearing several military medals on his chest, smiling outdoors.

Top: Allan is extremely proud of his awards

Top right: Allan with His Excellency, The Hon David Hurley AC,DSC, Governor of NSW who presented Allan with his Order of Australia Medal and Commendation for Brave Conduct.

Bottom right: Allan with Her Excellency, The Hon Margaret Beazley AC,KC Governor of NSW who presented Allan with his Kings Coronation Medal.

Two men in suits with medals and ribbons standing outside a building with a beige exterior and a painting or relief sculpture on the wall behind them. They are smiling at the camera.
A man and woman dressed in formal attire standing indoors in front of a large floral arrangement with pink and white flowers and a stained glass window. The man is wearing a dark suit, a striped tie, glasses, and a medal, and is smiling. The woman is wearing a cream-colored jacket with floral embroidery, a pearl necklace, glasses, and a medal, and is also smiling.