Vic grandfather to get bravery medal

Murray Barnewall dived into the ocean on the spur of the moment to help a young girl washed off a jetty by a huge wave in Port Campbell.

"I can still see an image of the girl as she went over the hand rail into the water. She moved in slow motion. I think about that a lot," the retired parks ranger and grandfather of five says of the rescue in April 2014.

The Port Campbell resident was fully clothed when he dived into the heavy swell and grabbed hold of the girl.

He used the massive waves to propel them back toward the jetty where he was able to throw her to safety.

For his life-saving effort, Mr Barnewall will receive the Commonwealth's highest award for bravery.

Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove will give him the Royal Humane Society's 2015 Stanhope Gold Medal on Tuesday at the Melbourne Town Hall.

The medal is awarded annually to recognise the most conspicuous act of gallantry considered by the Royal Humane Societies of Australia, the UK, Canada and New Zealand.

Mr Barnewall is excited about being reunited with the girl and her family, who he has not seen since the incident.

"I will be looking forward to seeing the whole family at the ceremony. We didn't say anything on the day. She said thank you and the parents thanked me and we both went home," he said.