Rishworth, Amanda Louise MP

Ms RISHWORTH (Kingston—Minister for Social Services) (09:36): I rise today to acknowledge and commemorate the life of Father Robert 'Bob' Maguire. Last month, on 19 April, Australia lost a giant of our community—a spiritual and humanitarian pillar, a true Aussie cobber, a maverick and, of course, often known to people as 'the people's priest'. Father Bob, who was 88 when he passed, dedicated his entire life to doing more than his fair share to improve the lives of those around him and, of course, of the wider community. He made it his personal mission to help those who are left behind, forgotten or ostracised by society. Never was Father Bob above anyone he met. He would greet everyone with a 'G'day, cobber.' He was a voice for the voiceless and brought hope to those who had none. He was a man who fought every day to uphold the dignity and rights of the downtrodden. He was a man who literally practised what he preached and served as a model for human kindness and decency. This kindness and work was recognised throughout his life, as it has been with his passing. From humble beginnings, Father Bob achieved much. He became a Member of the Order of Australia in 1989 for his service to homeless youth, and in 2011 he was awarded the Victorian of the Year award. Father Bob's understanding of adversity wasn't just through the people he would meet; he had his own personal circumstances of hardship. Father Bob grew up in poverty, in a household that experienced family violence. At the age of 11 he lost a sibling, and at 15 he became an orphan. This firsthand experience of suffering led him to become a man who would so freely offer his support and kindness to those who needed it most. Rather than letting his circumstances define him, he chose to respond and lead with the type and level of kindness many of us would hope to be able to achieve. For 50 years—an incredible feat by any career circumstances—parishioners were blessed with Father Bob's sermons as he preached the importance of goodwill, respect and community. They always featured some theatrical flair and often more than a touch of good humour. He was not afraid to speak his mind, often breaking with the rank and expectations of his colleagues when he believed his community needed him to or when his personal connection to God and his Christian values were challenged by orthodoxy. As he spoke to his congregation, who he affectionately referred to as his comrades—the parishioners of Sts Peter and Paul's Catholic Church, in South Melbourne, where he had served since 1973—he encouraged all that would listen to try their best to see the good in others, especially those who, in his own words, were deemed 'the unloved and unlovely'. Father Bob extended care and compassion to anyone regardless of their religious beliefs, and encouraged others to do the same. He performed services for those who were viewed by others as being on the wrong side of Christian values. He officiated gay marriages and also supported the idea of female priests. He would be the first to admit that his preferred method of delivery was unorthodox, but the spirit of compassion rang true. He shocked many with his ability to move with the times. Father Bob was, for many, a shining example of Christianity, of looking after one another, of accepting and loving everyone and of speaking truth to power. These core values were shaped from his very beginnings. Learning his love of God early from the piety of his mother, he became an altar boy in the church at the age of eight. These beginnings grew with him into the community leader he became, exemplifying the values of inclusion. He was as comfortable and passionate speaking at a union rally as he was at the pulpit at Sunday mass. Father Bob was the kind of man who, even if he barely had two pennies to rub together, would happily give one to you, as long as you shared a yarn or were a Collingwood supporter. The people's priest did not seek financial wealth. Money, in the eyes of Father Bob, was simply another tool to be used to brighten the lives of others when used correctly. He was full of life and vigour but only took the spotlight in the hope of spreading some of this to those who would otherwise be left in the dark. Father Bob worked tirelessly, out of the view of cameras and crowds, to feed, clothe and connect with struggling and suffering members of the community. As Kerrie O'Brien, reflecting on her relationship with the priest, wrote in 2016: To the parishioners of South Melbourne—and indeed many nationwide—he embodies all that's good about the Catholic Church. Hands-on, down-to-earth and approachable, over nearly 40 years he baptised, married and buried thousands, sometimes entire families. Perhaps more significantly, he looked out for the lost souls—the marginalised and disenfranchised, especially homeless kids, through the Open Family and the Father Bob Foundation. To Father Bob, the Father Bob Maguire Foundation was his way of converting his beliefs into action, and encouraging the same of others who had the means to help him make a difference. Once he left the church at the age of 77 he dedicated his life to expanding the foundation's work and its reach in community. It was constantly at threat of closure but never failed to feed the needy or stay on message. Father Bob worked across the aisles of politics to ensure this work remained at the front of the minds of all of those who had power to provide their support on his mission to make the slightest, or biggest, difference in the lives of those who would otherwise be without hope. He had a great relationship with local representatives, no matter what their political allegiances. Many former and current members of parliament, business leaders and unionists alike have engaged with his work and supported his communities. However, one might say he leaned a little further towards the progressive side of politics in his own philosophy. He may have given this away in 2022 when he said: Don't bend the elbow, vote for Albo. His foundation was a source of inspiration for future community leaders, in particular the member for Macnamara, who volunteered in the foundation's pantry from 2014, well before his entry into politics. He attributes to Father Bob the teaching of the values of community connection across all walks of life, particularly for those who faced hardships in life. The member for Macnamara said that Father Bob's work touched people living on the margins, and the interaction they had with him and the foundation would consistently be the best part of their day. The charity of the Father Bob Maguire Foundation continues to be a source of light, support and relief for Melburnians in need. His fleet of HopeMobiles and the open coffers of the Community Pantry fill the stomachs of Australians doing it tough, no matter what their faith. For Father Bob it was about more than a warm meal; it was about sharing meals. He understood the value of coming together, building a community and looking out for your neighbour. This was a man who boldly arranged fundraising competitions offering the grand prize winner 'happiness guaranteed'! The third prize winners each got one of five flat-screen TVs. The second prize was five nights in a glamorous Melbourne hotel. If these prizes were for the runners-up, then the grand prize, of course, would definitely guarantee happiness for the winner. And what was it? A week of volunteering in a soup kitchen for the Father Bob Maguire Foundation. Father Bob said that one week of helping those in need would bring you far more happiness than the other prizes combined. There was no trace of sarcasm or irony in his words. At Father Bob's state funeral at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne, the doors were thrown open for all those who loved him to pay tribute. The Prime Minister described Father Bob as: An irrepressibly cheerful champion for all those battling disadvantage … a man of warm faith who faced struggles with a cheeky grin. But, of course, it wasn't just politicians who paid tribute. I want to recognise some ordinary people. Michelle of South Melbourne said: 'It's a very strange feeling when you know you will never see someone again. It's worse when it's the best human you're probably know.' Father Bob was something to everyone and much to so many. Father Bob was once asked how he could possibly remain kind and respectful towards people who weren't always pleasant to him. He replied, 'You don't have to like people to love them.' I think there is something for all of us in those words. Father Bob, you will be missed.