Tennis ace Arber mourned
THE family of Paul Arber is grieving this week as the body of the missing Melbourne tennis coach was flown home from New Zealand for a funeral at the Chevra Kadisha cemetery in Lyndhurst on Sunday.
THE family of Paul Arber is grieving this week as the body of the missing Melbourne tennis coach was flown home from New Zealand for a funeral at the Chevra Kadisha cemetery in Lyndhurst on Sunday.
Arber, 38, was formally identified by New Zealand police after his body was found in the Waikato River in Hamilton, 120 kilometres from Auckland, last Thursday by a team of schoolgirl rowers.
The tennis ace, who was in New Zealand with a junior players’ tour, was last seen early on December 8 in the Waikato River wearing only a pair of shorts and had declined an offer from passers-by to escort him back to his accommodation.
Detective Inspector Karl Thornton of Hamilton police confirmed that the person found in the river was Arber. “A post-mortem examination conducted since the recovery has indicated there are no suspicious circumstances in relation to Mr Arber’s death and the matter has been reported to the Coroner.
Paul’s parents, Sam and Richelle, have been informed of these developments and are understandably very upset and we would like to express the condolences of the New Zealand Police to them, Paul’s wider family and friends.”
Speaking briefly to The AJN, Arber’s mother Richelle said she was “lost for words” at his untimely death. Arber’s sister Belinda Miselowski said: “Paul was one of those people who touched and inspired everybody he met. We’ve had outpourings of grief from people all around the world. He was a very compassionate person and very engaging. He was motivated, talented and caring.”
Maccabi Victoria president Joe Dorfman described Paul as “a key figure in the Maccabi Victoria Tennis Club, and a well-liked and respected coach”.
He added, “Whilst not participating on an official Maccabi-sanctioned tour, there are a number of our members who are in New Zealand competing in the tournament. The tournament organisers have arranged for them all to receive counselling and they are being well supported by family, friends and coaches, and have requested to stay and continue their participation in the tournament at this stage.
“May we all draw strength and inspiration from Paul’s incredible contribution to the Maccabi Tennis Club and our community. Our thoughts are with Paul’s family and friends at this time,” he said.
Tributes flowed for Arber on Facebook. One post reflected that Arber “was well-liked by three generations. He was respected by my generation, loved by those of his own age and looked up to by kids that he coached”.
PETER KOHN
Melbourne tennis coach Paul Arber.
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