Father killed in Rottnest Island shark attack as heartbroken family pays tribute

Steven ‘Mattas’ Mattaboni, 38, died following a shark attack while spearfishing off Rottnest Island near Perth, Western Australia, on Saturday

The family of a man tragically killed in a great white shark attack have remembered him as a “one-of-a-kind gentleman”.

Steven “Mattas” Mattaboni, 38, was targeted by the massive 16-foot creature near a popular Australian holiday spot on Saturday.

The devoted father-of-two was visiting Rottnest Island, near Perth, Western Australia, when the shark launched its brutal assault. Following Steven’s untimely passing, his wife Shirene fondly remembered him as a loving and dedicated father to their two young daughters, aged two and four months.

She expressed: “Our hearts are irrevocably broken by the loss of Steven, known affectionately to his mates as ‘Mattas’. An avid fisherman and spearfisherman, who lived and breathed the ocean, he was always in tune with the sea. He was fiercely loyal, endlessly generous, and the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back.

“The world has lost a truly one-of-a-kind gentleman, and our daughters have lost an incredible father far too soon.”

As Shirene grapples with the devastating loss of her “soulmate,” well-wishers have set up a GoFundMe campaign to provide financial support for her and the couple’s little girls. By Monday, May 18, the fundraiser had amassed over £86,000.

The person behind the appeal described Steven as “truly one of a kind.

“A loving husband, devoted father, and an incredibly kind and genuine man who brought warmth and happiness to those around him,” read the description on the fundraising page.

“Above all else, he absolutely adored his three girls and was the most amazing dad.”

Steven was recognised for his many abilities and represented the Perth suburb of Kingsley on the Aussie Rules football pitch.

His football club later honoured his memory, describing Steven as a “much loved friend to many within our club community.” Their tribute continued: “Mattas was one of the most genuine people you could meet.

“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. Our thoughts and love are with his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time, especially his wife Shirene and their two young daughters.”

Sergeant Michael Wear, the officer heading the Rottnest Island inquiry, revealed: “His friends have actually witnessed the horrific event. The friends of the victim retrieved his body from the water, they gave him CPR on the way back in and came straight into the Geordie Bay jetty.”

WA Police Minister Reece Whitby praised their heroic actions, telling the ABC: “I want to acknowledge the diver’s friends who played a critical role in doing the best they could to bring him back to shore. My heart and thoughts go out to the man’s family, friends and loved ones.”

Multiple great white shark encounters were logged on the WA government’s SharkSmart website coinciding with the timing of the attack. On Sunday (May 17), anglers captured footage of a shark circling their vessel close to where Mr Mattaboni had suffered the fatal mauling.

“That’s a big shark, man,” one of the boat occupants remarked.

Fisheries officials dedicated Sunday to scouring the waters for the predator.

At a press briefing held after the devastating incident, authorities praised the heroic efforts of the three mates who desperately attempted to rescue the cherished father and spouse following the assault.

Mr Mattaboni’s tragic passing comes amid a terrifying spate of shark encounters along Australia’s eastern seaboard, with three incidents occurring within consecutive days in Sydney.

On January 18, a 12 year old lad was rushed to hospital with life-threatening wounds after being set upon while swimming in Sydney Harbour’s Shark Bay. The following day, an 11-year-old’s board was chomped at Dee Why beach, just hours before a bloke was attacked at neighbouring Manly and hospitalised in a critical state.

Subsequently, on January 20, a fourth wave rider “sustained a wound to his chest” when a shark chomped his board 186 miles further north along the coastline.

Surf Life Saving WA confirmed that a 16ft great white had been spotted at roughly 10am on Saturday around the time of the tragedy. An investigation into the fatality has commenced.

Rottnest Island remains a treasured holiday destination in Western Australia. Steven’s demise represents the first lethal shark strike in the state since March of the previous year.

Approximately 1,300 shark encounters have been recorded in Australia since documentation commenced in 1791. Roughly 260 of these incidents have resulted in death. You can contribute to the Mattaboni family’s fundraising campaign here.