However, the man they dragged from a wrecked and smoking car on August 1 last year disagrees.

Father-of-two Paul Wilson was trapped in his car following a head-on collision on the Bacchus Marsh-Geelong Road that claimed the life of another motorist. The fact he was able to attend Friday’s Community Awards ceremony at all, at Queen’s Hall in Victoria’s Parliament House in Melbourne, was squarely down to the bravery and quick thinking of the two young men who happened to be running late for work.

“They deserve it. Absolutely,” Mr Wilson said on Friday. “These guys came across an accident and they were completely selfless. They effectively helped save me. Being able to be here and see these guys honoured for what they’ve done, for me it’s pretty special.”

Mr Kennedy and Mr Davis were among 13 so-called “ordinary people” honoured at the presentation.

The 13 community heroes were among more than 100 commended by Ambulance Victoria staff.

Mr Davis said he was overwhelmed to be awarded the title of “community hero”.

“I appreciate it, but I’m not really sure I deserve it,” said the 23-year-old, who works in the building industry. 

“At the time, I think we just wanted (Mr Wilson) to survive. When you are there there’s not much thinking.”

Mr Kennedy, 30, agreed: “It’s just instinct. You don’t think about (danger).” 

The Wendouree pair had been heading to a job about 6.45am. Mr Kennedy, who works in earth moving, said they had been running late. 

“We could see some car lights ahead and we could tell it wasn’t good, so I pulled over,” Mr Davis said. “Shawn got out and I pulled across the road and put my flashing work lights on to warn anyone who was coming.”

Also on the scene was Advanced Life Support-trained paramedic Sarah

Houghton-Sims, who joined an attempt to remove Mr Wilson through the driver’s-side door. But it was too badly damaged, so they wrenched a back door open with a crowbar and then dragged Mr Paul through the crushed and smoking car to safety.

“It was pretty bad,” Mr Kennedy said. “The guy who had been killed was hanging out of one car. It was like something you’d see in a movie. We did check his pulse.”

Mr Wilson had multiple injuries, including broken bones in his foot, tibia and eye socket.

He was treated by Ms Houghton-Sims and other paramedics and flown to The Alfred hospital.

“We didn’t know for months if Paul had survived,” Mr Davis said. 

Ms Sarah Houghton-Sims nominated Mr Kennedy and Mr Davis for the award.

Mr Wilson attended Friday’s ceremony with his two children. On a day when Ambulance Victoria celebrated hundreds of lives saved by ordinary Victorians, it was a visible reminder of what that really means.

As for the Community Hero medal and certificate, Mr Kennedy knows exactly where they are going. “Straight into the pool room,” he said.