A British grandmother and respected nursing lecturer has been remembered as a “beautiful person” whose life was tragically cut short in a devastating shark attack off Western Australia’s west coast.
Doreen Collyer, 60, was killed by what is believed to be a great white shark estimated to be more than five metres long while diving approximately 1km off Mindarie, 36km north of Perth, at the weekend. The experienced diver had been in the water for about 25 minutes when the attack occurred.
Doreen Collyer, 60, was savaged by a huge great white shark
Husband David talks to police at the scene of the attackCredit: Ruckas
Her devastated husband, David Collyer, who was driving to the coast to collect his wife after her dive, spoke publicly for the first time from their Iluka home, delivering an emotional tribute that has moved many.
“Doreen was a beautiful person and everyone loved her,” Mr Collyer said. “She was a devoted grandmother, mother and loving wife.”
The couple, who were due to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this year, had moved from the UK to Australia five years ago to be closer to their son and only granddaughter, Daisy. Mrs Collyer had recently become an Australian citizen, fully embracing their new life Down Under after their son emigrated with his young family.
A Passionate Educator and Adventurer
Mrs Collyer was a senior lecturer and Director of Postgraduate Studies at Edith Cowan University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery. Originally from Liverpool, she grew up in Birkenhead and later settled in Neston on the Wirral with her husband, where they raised two children. Before migrating to Australia, she held a senior lecturing position at the University of Chester.
Her professional expertise focused on children and young people’s nursing, neonatal feeding methods, and preparing children and siblings for visits to Intensive Care Units. Colleagues described her as a much-loved mentor and teacher who made significant contributions after arriving in Australia.
Professor Arshad Omari, acting vice-chancellor of Edith Cowan University, expressed the deep sadness felt across the institution.
“Doreen was a much loved and respected colleague, mentor and teacher,” he said. The university has arranged counselling support for staff and students affected by the loss.
Mrs Collyer’s love for diving had grown since moving to Australia. She had achieved her advanced open water diver’s certificate and regularly dived at the Mindarie site, which she had visited more than 20 times before.
Her dive buddy, John, who tried desperately to help her, was among those praised by Mr Collyer.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to Doreen’s dive buddy, John, the three lads off the other boat, Whitfords Sea Rescue and the ambulance and police crews who did everything they could,” he said.
Second Fatal Shark Attack in a Week
The tragedy marks the second fatal shark attack in Western Australia in just one week. On Tuesday, 29-year-old surfer Ben Gerring died after being bitten while paddling at Falcon Beach in Mandurah, south of Perth. A 4.2-metre great white shark was later killed, though authorities have not confirmed if it was responsible.
Fishermen who witnessed the shark involved in Mrs Collyer’s attack described it as bigger than their 5.3-metre boat. A separate video captured hours after the incident showed a large shark, with a fin visible just 400 metres off Mindarie Marina, estimated to be nearly as long as a 7.6-metre vessel.
The shark has been declared an “imminent threat” to public safety, allowing authorities to legally target and shoot it if located. Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett defended the measure, stating public safety must come first while acknowledging the difficult balance with conservation concerns. He ruled out permanent drumlines along the coast.
Beaches in the area have been closed, and shark capture efforts were temporarily suspended due to poor weather.
A Life Full of Love and Impact
Mr Collyer described his wife as “full of life and very active,” a passionate nurse whose caring nature touched many lives both in hospitals and through her teaching.
“She was loved by everybody and was very caring and loving,” he said. “She touched a lot of lives through her teaching and through her time working on the wards.”
Tributes have poured in from students, friends, and the diving community. Perth Diving Academy described Mrs Collyer as a “much loved customer” whose “friendly nature will be greatly missed.” Students remembered her kindness and supportiveness, with one saying she would “always remember how nice and friendly you are.”
Doreen Collyer leaves behind her husband David, their son and granddaughter in Australia, a daughter currently based in Portugal, and many friends and family in the UK.
Her death serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks of ocean activities in Western Australia, even for highly experienced participants who embraced life with passion and purpose. As investigations continue and the search for the shark proceeds, the focus remains on honouring a woman remembered not for how she died, but for how beautifully she lived.