John Farragher. Photo: Penrith Panthers.
John Farragher, the former Panthers forward and current club Director, has passed away.
He suffered a cardiac arrest last week and did not recover. He was 68-years-old.
The news will shatter the Panthers community.
Born in Gilgandra, Farragher would realise his dream of playing first grade rugby league when he made his debut for Penrith in 1978.
John Farragher.
But the dream would turn into a nightmare that same season when in Round 10 against Newtown at Henson Park, a scrum collapsed on him, leaving him a quadriplegic. It was his seventh first grade appearance.
In the aftermath of the on-field tragedy, the club implemented measures to ensure Farragher was supported for the rest of his life.
For decades, Farragher worked at the Panthers Leagues Club – proudly meeting and greeting members and guests by the thousands.
He became the club’s most recognisable face and had a special connection with members.
John Farragher. Photo: Penrith Panthers.
In 2022, he was elected to the club’s Board.
A recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), Penrith’s Courage and Determination Award is named in Farragher’s honour and is handed out annually.
Farragher’s passing has sent shockwaves through the Panthers community tonight.
John Farragher with the Panthers Board and management team in 2023.
Fellow Panthers Director Bel Leonard said she was “grateful for every conversation, every laugh and every moment of connection”.
“John and I met through the Panthers Board and family, but what started as a professional connection quickly became something more. His warmth, his insights, and the real conversations we shared turned a colleague into a true friend,” she said.
“Not all friendships need decades to matter. Some people just have that rare ability to make you feel heard, to make you think differently, to make an impact that outlasts the brevity of time spent together. John was one of those people.”
He was due to contest the club’s next Board election in February.
Legendary broadcaster Frank Ley with John Farragher in the 1980s.
Panthers Chairman Peter Graham paid tribute to Farragher and the legacy he leaves behind.
“John Farragher was, and will always be, a cornerstone of the Panthers family,” he said.
“His courage, warmth and commitment to our club inspired generations of players, staff and members. He was a true gentleman who represented everything our club stands for. We extend our deepest sympathies to John’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
