The screams were the first sign to Brendan Bilston that something was wrong.
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The father-of-two was sitting with his family at a Manuka ice cream shop in August 2011, when they heard a woman shrieking in distress.
Mr Bilston and six others – who were on Monday awarded a group bravery citation – got up and ran out to help.
"I immediately just got up and started running outside, and that's when I saw the guy leaving the car and running away," he said.
He didn't know it at the time, but that man had just jumped into a parked car, and threatened the terrified driver with a gun.
The woman's screams had forced him to get out, and he fled from the scene.
Mr Bilston and the group pursued him, not knowing he was armed.
"When we got pretty close to us he turned around and put the gun on us and said, 'Back off or I'll shoot you'," he said.
"I don't think any of us were really thinking about what was going on.
"I said to the other guys, 'Listen he's quite serious, just back off.'"
The men tried to calm him down, while keeping their distance as he continued to flee.
The police, who had been talking to Mr Bilston's wife, then rang his mobile. They tracked the offender as he ran, giving police details of his movements and a description of him and his car.
The group's efforts eventually led to an arrest, and a successful prosecution.
Mr Bilston hasn't spoken to the six other men who were there that day, nor to the victim.
"I think it was great that it wasn't just one person who did something," he said.
"It was a group of guys and everyone felt they needed to do something to stop an injustice from happening."
The group were awarded a Group Bravery Citation as part of the first of two sets of Australian Bravery Decorations announced for 2015.
The others in the group were Aron Crowhurst, Brian Gillett, James Gray, Mark Kelly, Jared Milllist and Darren Sawyer.
The awards, announced on Monday, were approved by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, and included two Star of Courage awards, 26 Bravery Medals, 36 Commendations for Brave Conduct and 13 Group Bravery Citations.
Mr Bilston said it was both a shock and an honour to receive the award.
"It's quite humbling to think about it," he said.
"It's not something you expect but it's quite nice to receive recognition."
He said he'd like to have the chance to meet the victim to see if she's OK, and talk with the rest of the group.
