Tributes are pouring in for a father-of-two killed in a shark attack off Rottnest Island, as friends and family remember him as a devoted dad and “one-of-a-kind gentleman”.
Steven “Mattas” Mattaboni, 38, died after he was attacked while diving at Horseshoe Reef on Saturday.
The avid fisherman and spear fisherman was pulled from the water by friends and rushed by boat to a jetty at Geordie Bay on the island’s north side, but sadly, paramedics were unable to revive him.
His AFL club, Kingsley Football Club, paid tribute to the premiership player on social media.
“Mattas was one of the most genuine people you could meet,” the club said.
“He had a smile and presence that could light up a room, and he will be remembered fondly by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Mattaboni’s wife, Shirene, also paid tribute to her husband in a statement, remembering him as fiercely loyal, endlessly generous and deeply connected to the ocean.
“The world has lost a truly one-of-a-kind gentleman, and our daughters have lost an incredible father far too soon,” she said.
The couple shared two young daughters, including a four-month-old baby.
Western Australian Police Minister Reece Whitby described the incident as “incredibly tragic” and praised the actions of Mattaboni’s friends and emergency responders, who helped following the attack.
“He was someone who loved the ocean and loved diving, and it’s just incredibly tragic,” he said.
“I want to acknowledge the diver’s friends who played a critical role in doing the best they could to bring the young diver back to shore,” he said.
According to Surf Life Saving WA, a five-metre white shark was spotted about 80 metres offshore around the time of the attack.
Rottnest Island, located about 19 kilometres off the coast of Fremantle, remains one of Western Australia’s most popular tourist destinations.
Despite the tragedy, Whitby said people understood there were risks associated with the ocean.
“People are aware of issues in terms of personal safety when you are at sea that sharks are there,” he said.
Mattaboni’s death follows several fatal shark attacks around Australia over the past year, including the deaths of Sydney schoolboy Nico Antic, Swiss tourist Livia Mulheim and surfer Mercury Psillakis.
Image: Shirene Mattaboni
