Witnesses say Hayden Atkinson-Thring, 20, was killed when he was stabbed during a fight at a Cobram service station on Thursday night.

Girlfriend Kelli Berdini said her heart was broken.

“He was the most genuine person and would do anything for his family and friends,” she said.

“He was the best person I had ever met and I’ve lost my soul mate.

“His friends and family are heartbroken. I’m never going to meet anybody like him. I am just devastated.”

Mr Atkinson-Thring’s aunt said the couple had moved back to thier home town of Cobram last month to save for a trip around Australia.

Sharon Atkinson said the couple had moved from Wollongong, where they had lived with Mr Atkinson-Thring’s sister, Kara-Lee.

Ms Atkinson said her nephew would forever be missed by his sister, his mother Raelene Atkinson and father Steven Thring.

“He was such a beautiful young boy, a 20-year-old just starting his life,” she said.

“It was just so unnecessary. It’s a waste of young life.”

She said Mr Atkinson-Thring, a former Cobram Secondary College student and junior best and fairest footballer, had been working for a concreting company.

Yarroweyah Football Club former president Bill Jones said Mr Atkinson-Thring had played two seasons about three years ago and had won the club’s junior best and fairest award.

“Around the club he was just a very good kid,” Mr Jones said.

“He was very kind and got on pretty well with everybody.

“He was very talented at football, too.

“He was just an outstanding player.

“To win a best and fairest, you’ve got to have something special.”

Friends also paid their respects.

“He will always be remembered,” one said.