Not all superheroes wear tight-fitting costumes and seek truth and justice. Some wear school uniforms. Some wear hi-vis work clothes. Some stand behind a counter, some work in medical clinics, and some simply go about their ordinary day, but all of them act in extraordinary ways.

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Sometimes, as in the recent examples we have featured at The Examiner, heroism is nothing more complicated than deciding to help. That's super heartening.

These everyday superheroes remind us that extraordinary acts of courage, generosity and compassion are happening all around us, and often without expectation of recognition or reward.

Consider the neighbour, arriving home tired after a full day of work, who saw smoke pouring from a house in Mayfield and ran towards the danger. Hearing an explosion and seeing the flames, Anthony Silva didn't stop to consider whether it was his responsibility. He acted, knowing animals were inside. His efforts helped contain the fire before firefighters arrived, although, tragically, two hand-raised emu chicks and 20 quail could not be saved.

What is most striking is the reason he said he intervened: because he believed the world would be better if everyone were a little less selfish. That is difficult logic to argue against.

Then there are the children of St Leonards Primary School, who decided that other children shouldn't have to worry about where their next meal was coming from.........

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