The late Tony Rokov, who was well-known in the Shoalhaven, had been an instructor at the Nowra Hill based parachute school between 2007 and 2013.

Described as a “tough-looking person with a soft personality” Mr Rokov’s actions at the Goulburn Airport in 2015 in sacrificing his life to save that of his 14-year-old tandem skydiving companion, stunned onlookers.

Mr Rokov, late of Miranda,was awarded a Star of Courage in the Australian Bravery Awards, announced by Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove last Thursday. It is one of just two awarded, the other going to Lindt Cafe siege victim, Tori Johnson.

The honour is given for “acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril.” 

Read more: Jaspers Brush's Matthew Warwick and Gerroa’s Shayne Elise Hunt honoured in bravery awards

Mr Rokov, 44, was a highly experienced skydiving instructor, had served 23 years in the Australian Defence Force, where he also ran parachute training programs.  

Having left the Army in 2013, he worked as an emergency response officer and with Adrenalin Skydive as an instructor for several years.

His “meticulous preparation” counted for little on November 21, 2015, at Goulburn Airport. On that day, Mr Rokov was taking 14-year-old Canberra boy Elijah Arranz for his first tandem skydive. The wind was calm at just 11 knots when they started out.

“When they were approximately 20 metres from the landing, a freak gust of wind caused their parachute to collapse and violently fold in half,” the award citation read.

“Mr Rokov and the boy quickly began to plummet, during which time the boy was flipped horizontally. As they approached the ground, Mr Rokov immediately twisted his body under the boy and took the full force of the impact.”

Despite first aid being administered immediately, Mr Rokov died as a result of his injuries. Elijah was severely injured, but survived.

“By his actions, Mr Rokov displayed conspicuous courage,” the citation stated. 

Adrenalin Skydive head instructor Kobi Bokay had immediately noticed the way his longtime friend had “really twisted his body” to shield the boy.

“It’s a brave thing to do,” he said at the time.

He described Mr Rokov as “a tough-looking person with a soft personality.”

“Tony was always such a helping person ... [if] you were upset or needed anything, he would be there,” he said just days after the accident.

“This is a very sad day for us. He was part of the family.”

Mr Bokay said the wind gust was so freakish, nothing could have prevented the accident. 

Mr Rokov is survived by his wife, Samantha, three children and a grandchild.

The Canberra Times reported last October that Elijah had undergone 12 months of intensive rehabilitation, learning to walk, talk and eat again after suffering a brain injury in the crash. By that time he was back at his school, St Francis Xavier College.

Since 1975, 170 Star of Courage honours have been awarded, including the current two. It is the second highest Bravery Award behind the Cross of Valour.