They make TV shows about couples like Ben and Lisa, the tall blonde Irish emergency nurse he met in an inner-city pub. They understood each other – which is to say work was often not exactly dinnertime conversation – and quickly began to make a life together.

They have one child and another on the way when Lisa is out walking and gets a call from a friend. The Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) is at Martin Place, and there appears to be a siege. She goes home, and her daughter recognises Ben on TV. How? She broke his sunnies the night before and could see his distinctive eyes.

Lisa hears about the bomb, and realises Ben will likely die if they go in. She sends Ben pictures of their daughter.

They make TV shows about couples like Ben and Lisa, the tall blonde Irish emergency nurse he met in an inner-city pub. They understood each other – which is to say work was often not exactly dinnertime conversation – and quickly began to make a life together.
They have one child and another on the way when Lisa is out walking and gets a call from a friend. The Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) is at Martin Place, and there appears to be a siege. She goes home, and her daughter recognises Ben on TV. How? She broke his sunnies the night before and could see his distinctive eyes.
Lisa hears about the bomb, and realises Ben will likely die if they go in. She sends Ben pictures of their daughter.

The Lindt siege was the bravest day in Ben Besant’s life, and the worst. He faced and killed a shotgun wielding terrorist, but then learnt his actions contributed to the accidental death of a hostage. He believes another hostage died because he and his colleagues didn’t get there in time. As a Tactical Operations Officer (TOU), Ben and his mates were more prepared for their own deaths than those of hostages. He’d texted his goodbyes to his wife.

Ben’s training for that moment and family pedigree of service are typical of so many young Australians prepared to risk their lives responding to life threatening situations. His life since is also a cautionary example of the personal cost, as the damage of all the trauma he’d faced landed squarely on his family.

The Lindt siege was the bravest day in Ben Besant’s life, and the worst. He faced and killed a shotgun wielding terrorist, but then learnt his actions contributed to the accidental death of a hostage. He believes another hostage died because he and his colleagues didn’t get there in time. As a Tactical Operations Officer (TOU), Ben and his mates were more prepared for their own deaths than those of hostages. He’d texted his goodbyes to his wife.
Ben’s training for that moment and family pedigree of service are typical of so many young Australians prepared to risk their lives responding to life threatening situations. His life since is also a cautionary example of the personal cost, as the damage of all the trauma he’d faced landed squarely on his family.

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