Robert Kavanaugh Robert Murray Kavanaugh GC ( 18 December 1906 – 12 September 1976 ) was an Australian recipient of the Albert Medal , formerly the highest decoration for gallantry awarded to civilians or to military personnel for actions " not in the face of the enemy " in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth . A dental student , Kavanaugh was awarded the Albert Medal following his rescue of a youth during a shark attack at Bondi Beach in January 1929 . With the establishment of the George Cross , the Albert Medal was discontinued and , in 1971 , living recipients of the decoration were invited to exchange their medal for the George Cross ; Kavanaugh took up the offer and formally became a recipient of the George Cross . Early life and education . Kavanaugh was born in Wingham , New South Wales , on 18 December 1906 to Herbert Leo Kavanaugh , a dentist , and his wife Alice Rose ( née Flood ) . In 1917 , the family moved to Sydney where Kavanaugh was educated at Waverley and Burwood public schools , as well as by a private tutor . He was active in sport , playing Rugby Union for the Eastern Suburbs District Football Club , and belonging to the Sydney Rowing Club and the Kensington Amateur Athletic Association . Aged fifteen , Kavanaugh undertook study through the Dental Board of New South Wales and was apprenticed to his father as a dental student . Albert Medal . On 12 January 1929 , Kavanaugh was swimming at Bondi Beach approximately from the shore when fourteen - year - old Colin Stewart was attacked by a shark and dragged underwater . The shark inflicted severe wounds to Stewart ' s side and hip , and Kavanaugh — who was located only a few metres away — immediately swam to his assistance . The shark made a second pass at Stewart as Kavanaugh neared . Securing a hold on Stewart , Kavanaugh struggled towards the shore . As the pair neared , they were assisted by two other men who dragged Stewart ashore , where he received medical attention before being rushed to hospital . Stewart subsequently died of his injuries the following morning . The coroner who investigated the incident commented on Kavanaugh ' s " heroic act " , and noted that he should be decorated with the highest honour possible for the circumstances . For his actions , Kavanaugh was subsequently awarded the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia ' s meritorious award in silver and the Albert Medal . The announcement and accompanying citation for the latter award was published in the " London Gazette " on 17 October 1930 , reading : Later life . Following the completion of his apprenticeship , Kavanaugh was registered as a dental surgeon in June 1930 . By 1933 , he had established his own practice at Narromine . On 22 April that year , he married Mary Sylvia Potter , a stenographer , in a Catholic ceremony at the Sacred Heart Church , Darlinghurst ; the pair would later have a son and three daughters . During this time , Kavanaugh obtained a civil flying licence and was active in the local musical and drama societies . On 7 October 1940 , Kavanaugh enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force for service during the Second World War . Although wishing to be selected as a pilot , he was instead commissioned as a flight lieutenant in the medical branch as a dental officer . Promoted to squadron leader in October 1942 , he served throughout the war in Australia . He was last posted to RAAF Station Bradfield Park before taking his discharge on 9 June 1945 . In 1946 , Kavanaugh entered the University of Sydney studying for a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree . During his time at the university , he won the Percy A . Ash Prize in 1948 and the Annie Praed Prize in 1949 , before graduating with his degree in 1950 . Kavanaugh continued to practice dentistry in Sydney until the late 1950s , when he purchased Karalinga , a sheep station on the Wollondilly River , and entered semi - retirement . In his semi - retirement , Kavanaugh divided his time between Karalinga and serving as a locum tenens dentist . In 1971 , due to the decline in status and significance of the Albert Medal , the British Government announced that living recipients of the decoration were invited to exchange their medals in substitution for the George Cross , and would henceforth formally become recipients of the latter award . All six living Australian Albert Medal recipients at the time opted to accept the offer , with Kavanaugh and four others travelling to London to receive their awards . The five men , Jack Chalmers , Stanley Gibbs , William McAloney , Dick Richards and Kavanaugh , were presented with their George Crosses at an investiture ceremony in Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II on 12 July 1972 . Aged 69 , Kavanaugh died of cardiac failure at the Repatriation General Hospital , Concord , on 12 September 1976 . He was interred in the Field of Mars Cemetery .