Bernie Goodwin’s bravery remembered 43 years after heroic surf rescues | photos | video

The four boys survived the ordeal on March 15, 1973,  but the coroner found that Mr Goodwin probably suffered a heart attack brought on by the exertion of battling the strong rip.

Mr Goodwin’s body was never recovered.

His story is folklore in Morisset, and locals are reminded of the man every time they pass the Bernie Goodwin Memorial Gateway to the sports fields next to Morisset High School.

But until this week, Mr Goodwin’s heroics had never formally been acknowledged by the state government.

Local author and historian Doug Saxon thought this warranted exploration.

During research of his book, Morisset Memories: Morisset 1891-2016, Mr Saxon studied newspaper reports of Mr Goodwin’s rescues.

“There was a comment by the NSW Premier at the time, Sir Robert Askin, who said Bernie Goodwin should receive official recognition or an award,” Mr Saxon said.

“When I read this, I realised that 43 years had passed, and while in the local community his recognition is beyond question, nothing had been done on an official level.”

Mr Saxon approached the Member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper, about the matter and, on Monday, the MP was happy to present a Premier’s Award to Mr Goodwin’s family.

Descendants of Mr Goodwin, and his friends, gathered at Morisset Multipurpose Centre for the presentation.

Mr Goodwin’s neice Robyn Campbell said Mr Goodwin had served in World War II and started a taxi and bus business with his wife, Jean.

“Bernie was salt of the earth. His whole life was speedboats and cars, and he was always pulling motors apart,” Ms Campbell said. “He was also very community minded, and he’d help you with anything you needed.”

And as the school bus driver, Mr Goodwin would not tolerate unruly behaviour.

Morisset High School student Xenya Dickson-Gaymer read a moving tribute to Mr Goodwin.