A member of Moruya Surf Lifesaving Club for 28 years, Mr Cardinale was honoured by Eurobodalla Shire Council in a ceremony in Moruya on Friday night.

Nominated by fellow surf life savers, Mr Cardinale was described as having a “passion to train others to save lives”.

“He has trained more than 400 qualified life savers, radio operators and IRB operators,” his nominees said.  

“Marco is responsible for the club radio room and its network with the State Emergency Call Out Service and has been involved in most Moruya River bar rescues.  

“For 28 years he has been the caretaker, keeping the clubhouse and grounds in immaculate condition. He is a passionate member of the Moruya community, always willing to help out and especially ready to use his cooking skills to assist at various functions.”

Mr Cardinale said he had grown up in western Sydney but his father would drive his children every weekend to a Sydney beach.

He was inspired by the life savers who tended his many bluebottle stings to become one himself.

He said he loved passing skills and knowledge on to other people.

Narooma’s Tamara Kenny was named Eurobodalla Young Citizen of the Year. The indigenous student was honoured for leadership at school and in the community and is about to begin law studies at the University of NSW.