Trent Rutherford, a young man from Maroubra with deep ties to the South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club, has died after spending over a week fighting a severe brain injury, leaving behind a community of people who described him as a rare and genuinely good human being.
Trent, believed to be in his late 20s, passed away on 4 June. A carpenter by trade, he had been living in Uluwatu in Bali’s southwest with his long-term partner Bella Cignetti, where the couple had set up fitness-related businesses after relocating from Maroubra in 2024.
His mother described him as being surrounded by love in his final moments.
The tributes of a community that loved him
Bella Cignetti’s tribute captured something of the person Trent was. “I’d choose you in every single lifetime, my love. You fought harder than anyone I’ve ever known,” she wrote. “You are my soulmate, my greatest love, and now my angel, watching over me, protecting me, guiding me and so many others.”
She spoke of being grateful for every adventure, laugh, moment and dream they had shared. “Thank you for choosing me, for loving me the way you did and for giving me the most beautiful memories and life. Until we meet again, my love. Forever and always I’ll love you with my whole heart.”
Tributes flooded social media from people who had known Trent across different parts of his life, with many describing a “special human” with a “heart of gold” and an infectious smile that people remembered long after meeting him.
South Sydney Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray paid his own tribute during Thursday night’s NRL clash against the Manly Sea Eagles, wearing wrist tape emblazoned with “TRENT” throughout the match.
A family known to South Maroubra SLSC
Trent’s connection to the Maroubra community ran deep. His parents, Yvette and Grant “Paddles” Rutherford, are Life Members of the South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club, a club that has been a fixture of the beach since 1963.
The club shared its condolences with the family this week, noting that Trent was a former club member who had been seen at the clubhouse as recently as March, when he presented the Bruce Rutherford Memorial Award to the club’s nippers.
“Trent was a former valued club member and good friend of South Maroubra SLSC,” the club posted. “Thoughts and prayers are with the Rutherford family as they confront this most difficult time. Vale Trent.”
The Bruce Rutherford Memorial Award bears the name of a family member before him, a detail that gives some sense of how long and how genuinely the Rutherfords have been part of the fabric of this club and this beach.
How to support the family
Friend and organiser Sam Owens originally set up a GoFundMe to support Trent’s medical battle, but has since updated the page to help his family cover funeral expenses and ongoing costs. “This has been an incredibly difficult time for his family, partner Bella, and everyone who loved him,” Owens wrote.
Contributions can be made here.
Published 10-June-2026
