A man who disappeared while trying to save a man swept off rocks near Batemans Bay will be nominated for a posthumous bravery award.
Paul Quinlivan has not been seen since Saturday when he dived into the ocean off Pebbly Beach to rescue a 22-year-old Ashfield man who had been hit by a freak wave and washed off rocks.
A large scale search for Mr Quinlivan, from Turner in the ACT, was called off last night, and he is presumed to have drowned.
Pebbly beach tragedy: rescue hero feared dead Police today said they would nominate the 50-year-old for a posthumous bravery award, as Mr Quinlivan's family paid tribute to his courage and compassion.
"Paul worked extensively with Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory and Western Australia for the past 25 years," his family said in a statement.
"His daughters, while desperately sad, are proud their father was a man of great courage and compassion and an indomitable spirit."
They also thanked all of the emergency services involved in the extensive rescue effort.
Mr Quinlivan had been sketching a seascape with his daughter about 11am on Saturday when a freak wave hit the northern rock shelf on the beach.
Stefan Leonte had been walking on the rocks with a group of young people when the wave hit and sent him into the sea.
Mr Quinlivan dived in after Mr Leonte became caught in a rip and was carried 100m out to sea.
Mr Leonte was later discovered alive and well on a nearby beach.
Angus McIvor posted a tribute to Mr Quinlivan yesterday praising his work in the Northern Territory.
"Both brave and an inspiration, Paul successfully recruited health professionals to staff a remote health centre east of Alice Springs," he said.
"His energy was tireless and he would think nothing of driving patients 330km to make an appointment in Alice.
"A staggering 95 per cent of indigenous patients made it to their appointments when he worked at the health centre. He made a great difference to all of us and will not be forgotten."
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