Tuesday, 16 May 2023

Father Bob Maguire

Lee TARLAMIS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:16): I rise to speak on the sad passing of Father Bob Maguire last month. We recently farewelled Father Bob at St Patrick’s Cathedral amongst his friends, parishioners, community members and those who just admire everything he did for our community. Father Bob was a giant in his local community – indeed, a giant in the entire Victorian community. He dedicated his life to supporting the marginalised, the disenfranchised and the disadvantaged. His commitment to social justice was unwavering, and he was dogmatic in seeking fairness and equality for those he felt were left behind. Father Bob was a proud Catholic, but he also saw the Catholic Church, with all its flaws, as more than just an institution. He saw it as a vehicle for good in the community and ensured his parish helped everyone who needed it. His motto was ‘No-one left behind’, and every single person who passed through the foundation was offered whatever Bob could give.

He was parish priest for Saints Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church in South Melbourne from 1973 to 2012 and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1989 for services to homeless youth through the Open Family foundation. After his retirement from the church he continued to work with his charity foundation, which delivers hundreds of free meals each week and operates an outreach program to those in need. Father Bob was a good friend of this Parliament, working closely through the foundation with the kitchens here to provide healthy food for a lot of people during the pandemic. Members of Parliament often shared stories about Father Bob’s razor-sharp wit and how he never missed an opportunity to advocate for those in need and how he never hesitated in telling politicians when he thought that they could do things better. Father Bob’s legacy will live on through the countless lives he has touched, an enduring inspiration for his devotion to community and humankind. Vale, Father Bob Maguire.