Cathedral hosts last funeral for Bondi slain
Meagher remembered as "inherently decent, caring, and compassionate" at funeral today at St Mary's Cathedral.
NSW Premier Chris Minns, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and a significant turnout by members of the Jewish community, were among hundreds attending the funeral service at St Mary’s Cathedral today for Peter ‘Marzo’ Meagher – the final funeral for the 15 murdered in last month’s Bondi Beach ‘Chanukah at the Sea’ terror attack.
The 61-year-old – who only recently revealed that his maternal grandmother was Jewish – was a loving husband and caring brother, and a recently retired police detective with an distinguished record of service, a longtime Randwick Rugby Club stalwart and volunteer, and a passionate photographer.
He was attending the Bondi Beach event as a freelance photographer when he was fatally shot by one of the two gunmen.
Four symbols representing aspects of his life were placed beside his casket during the service: his police badge, his Randwick footy jersey, his camera, and a jar of lollies — the latter being a nod to his sweet tooth.
Father Richard Leonard – parish priest from North Sydney who had officiated nine years prior at the wedding of Peter and Virginia Wynne-Markham at Kincoppal Rose Bay Chapel, when introducing the service, welcomed all in attendance paying their respects, and especially the Jewish community, noting how “Jesus was a Jew . . . Christians are children of the Jews . . . and an attack on the Jews is an attack on all of us”.
“Peter’s life was taken suddenly, violently, and far too soon. It feels wrong because it is wrong,” he said.
“Our prayers and solidarity remain with the families of the other 14 innocent people who also senselessly died that day.”
Later in the service, after he recited an Old Testament psalm from the Book of Ecclesiastes that began with ‘There is a time for everything’, Father Leonard said, “A life is not defined only by its ending, but by the love, goodness, service, and meaning that filled it.
“Peter’s life mattered, his service in every way mattered, and the grief we feel matters, for it is the measure for which we have loved.”
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald outlined Mr Meagher’s distinguished 35-year policing career, which began in 1985, and saw him designated as a detective in 1991, and promoted to Detective Sergeant in 2004.
Meagher had earned a National Police Service Medal, the NSW Police Award, two Commissioner’s Citations for service, and three individual Commissioner’s Commendations, which Fitzgerald – who had worked with Meagher closely for several years – described as “an extremely rare achievement”.
“Inherent decency and compassion symbolised Peter’s career as a police officer,” Fitzgerald said.
“What happened at Bondi Beach was immoral, unjust and indecent — and Peter was none of these things.
“Peter was an incredibly moral and honest man, he believed in justice and in good, and most importantly, Peter was inherently decent, caring, and compassionate in everything he did.”
Former Wallabies centre and recent Randwick Rugby Club head coach Morgan Turinui spoke next, declaring Meagher exemplified “selfless service through decades of volunteering” for Randwick, and his loss leaves a massive hole.
“Peter showed us that service is not a burden but a privilege, that volunteering is not sacrifice but an investment in something you deem worthwhile,” Turinui said.
“He chose humble dedication . . . He was reliable, generous, and devoted.
“These attributes are part of the reason he was in Bondi on December 14 – he was helping fellow members of our community, fellow Australians, to celebrate their Jewish faith.
“To our Jewish brethren – friends of Peter and Virginia – we at the ‘Wick, stand with you in your grief.
“The evil that took those people on that day sought to extinguish light. Let us respond to this change by being more like Marzo, by showing up, by serving, by protecting joy, and by building community.”
David Meagher – one of Peter’s four younger brothers – remembered him as “our big brother, teacher, and protector” who always “did things by the book”.
Lamenting that Peter had died “in such an unfathomable way”, David asked mourners to remember how he lived.
“So, I ask you, think about . . . the quiet and steady person he was, his humour, his patience, his devotion to our parents, his love for his wife, his loyalty to his friends and colleagues, and the way he anchored our family”.
The final speaker, his widow Wynne-Markham, thanked mourners for their love and support, and said the terror attack at Bondi Beach “targeted a beautiful Jewish community – a community that consists of some of the most wonderful, gentle, humble, and virtuous people you could ever hope to, or be fortunate enough, to meet.
“All of our lives are forever changed.”
She described her husband as someone who was always giving, and revealed that four months ago, he’d began volunteering as a mentor for young men in need of support and guidance.
“Peter impacted many lives and situations in his 61 years, and he is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best thing to happen in mine.
“I learned many things working at a Jewish school in Dover Heights (Kesser Torah College), and among them are phrases so apt when someone’s no longer with us, like ‘May their memory be a blessing’; and ‘May we only share good news from now on’.
“The good news is, I choose light, peace, and love.
“Peter will be forever mine, the ying to my yang, the Waratahs to my Brumbies . . . and we all know what a beautiful game they play in heaven.”
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