Leucophyta brownii. Or Cushion Bush.

Eric, I'd say that's Silver Bush also called Cushion Bush Calocephalus brownii, now known as Leucophyta brownii. If it survives it should eventually produce pale yellow flowers. It looks like you have it planted in an appropriately sandy medium although I have seen this species growing unnaturally in non-sandy soil far from the coast.

By the way, since it's probably a native to the beach you visited did you need permission to remove this plant? Australia's coastal vegetation is extremely precious because so much of it has been removed by developers, trampled on by beach goers, run over by vehicles & invaded by feral weeds. Hence the reason there are laws protecting native vegetation in some places. However, I appreciate that it was growing in a position where it would have found survival difficult. Perhaps replanting it near others of its kind after a soaking rain might be helpful in a small way for the coastal vegetation at your beach.