For Bruce Boreham, 80th birthday celebrations will take on extra significance as surprised guests learn of his Commendation for Brave Conduct.

The retired security guard dragged two men and a semi-conscious woman from a burning car wreck in Alexandria in 1972, an act of courage that has not been forgotten thanks to an Australian Bravery Award announced on Monday, the same day as his birthday.

"I was travelling from Marrickville when all the street lights went out. Around the corner, I could see this car smoking badly on the side of the street with a lamp-post lying beside it," Mr Boreham, from Lapstone, recalled.

The car had crashed at over 100km an hour, taking out power lines and injuring its three passengers in the process.

Forty-three years on, he said the award was completely unexpected - and that his actions were all in a days' work. He joins 76 individuals and groups to have been honoured in the awards, which are now in their 40th year.

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove praised the courage and willingness of awardees' efforts, made without thoughts of personal safety, not least by those who did not survive to realise their impact.

"Sadly, there are those whose brave acts mean they are no longer with us. Today, to their families, I express the nation's sadness at your loss but pride in your loved one's actions," he said.

The late Angela Ferullo, who was stabbed to death as she attempted to shield her daughter from a knife attack by her former partner in a hair salon in Como, WA, has been awarded a Star of Courage, one of just two of the second highest bravery decorations given this year.

She is honoured alongside Christiana King, a trek leader from Queensland whose walking party on the Black Cat track in Papua New Guinea was attacked by machete-wielding guerillas in 2013.

The list of 26 Bravery Medal honourees includes Lindsy Isaac-Davies, Kurtis Gillan and Shayden Schrader from NSW, who have been awarded for their part in rescuing a friend after a shark attack near Coff's Harbour in 2013. The surfer did not survive the attack by a three-metre tiger shark at Campbell's Beach.

A Group Bravery Citation has been awarded to three members of Ballina Marine Rescue, who rescued several people after their boat capsized in 2013. They join 12 other groups to have been recognised with group awards.