Vale Peter ‘Marzo’ Meagher

Sadly, it has been another incredibly tragic weekend in our local community with the horrific events at Bondi Beach bringing home how fickle and precious life can be.

All of us in this area and our families and friends go to the beach so regularly, so yet again, just like it was after the Bondi Junction attacks a few years ago, it has been impossible just to comprehend the enormity of what happened has here and this abhorrent targeted attack on our Jewish community.

In that vein, tragically it has hit even closer to home to Randwick Rugby. It is with an extremely heavy heart that Randwick DRUFC can confirm the tragic passing of our much loved First Grade Manager and loyal club volunteer Peter Meagher yesterday.

Devastatingly, Peter was caught up in these horrible Bondi Beach shootings and was sadly one of 15 innocent people, who have lost their lives. Peter was working as a freelance photographer at the ill-fated Hanukkah event and like all victims it was simply a catastrophic case of being in the wrong place and at the wrong time.

’Marzo’ as he was universally known, was a much loved figure and absolute legend in our club, with decades of voluntary involvement, he was one of the heart and soul figures of Randwick Rugby. The Meagher family are absolute royalty in our Club, with Marzo following in the giant Myrtle Green footsteps of his grandfather the legendary Wally Meahger and his father Ron who was a former Club President.

For much of the last decade Marzo has been our trusted First Grade Manager and this news has already hit our players, coaches, managers, volunteers and supporters extremely hard. Prior to that he was also a highly respected long term referee who was well known and respected in Sydney Rugby circles.

In his professional life, Peter served for almost 4 decades in the NSW Police Force and retired as a Detective Sergeant, where he was hugely respected by his Police colleagues. The tragic irony is that he spent so long in the dangerous front line as a Police Officer and was struck down in retirement while taking photos in his passion role is really hard to comprehend.

Our club will reflect on his massive contributions in a tribute that will be sent later once it is appropriate to do so. Funeral details will be advised in due course.

Our deepest condolences go to his wife Virginia, his brothers Greg, David, Andrew and Paul, their extended families and mountain of friends across Randwick Rugby, NSW Police, Sydney Rugby Referees and our local community.

We obviously extend our deepest sympathy to all the other victims, their families and loved ones and those people traumatised by this barbaric act. We also sincerely thank and are in awe of all the first responders for their bravery and professionalism in dealing with such a dangerous and challenging situation to care for those in need.

Rest in Peace ‘Marzo’ - we all love you and will miss you greatly. We are devastated.

Cherish your loved ones folks, take care of yourself and look out for those that maybe struggling. Again, our heart goes out to all the victims, the Jewish community and all those impacted by this terrible tragedy.

Up the Wicks!

Mark Harrison

General Manager

Randwick Rugby Club