Silver medal Paralympian, and doctor, Marty Mayberry, passed away at his home in Brisbane on December 18, 2024.
He was aged 38.
Marty was a man who had met many challenges in his life, and his father Paul said he is ‘very proud of how he handled adversity’.
Born in Byron Bay, Marty attended both Byron Primary School and Byron High School.
However, at 16 years old, Marty contracted meningococcal disease and beat the one-in-ten survival odds.
Back on the slopes
Having skied since he was five years old, having both his legs amputated below the knee did not keep him down, and he was back on the slopes within a year.
Within two years of becoming a double below-the-knee amputee, he was competing in skiing and he went on to compete in two Paralympics.
During the six years he was a competitive skier, Marty completed a health science degree at Griffith University.
2020 silver medal
In 2010, Marty won the silver medal at the Vancouver Winter Paralympics in downhill and was ranked second in the world in the downhill standing class.
Following this success, Marty retired from the sport and started his medical degree at Sydney University.
In 2023, Marty was one of the first inductees into the Griffith University Sports Hall of Fame.
A great skier and even better doctor
‘Marty was a great alpine skier and an even better doctor,’ said Paul.
Marty was continuing his speciality training in rehabilitation when he died and will be greatly missed by the medical community.
‘Wherever he went from Ballina Hospital, to John Flynn Hospital, to the Queensland Rehabilitation Services while he was doing his training they all asked him to come back when he was qualified,’ Paul explained.
Marty will be greatly missed by his family and his two sons Hugo, ten and Finn, eight who were the centre of his life.
There will be a memorial service for Marty in Brisbane in early February.
So sorry to hear of Marty’s death when he was still young. Best wishes to all the family
I am sorry to read this, I didn’t know him but what a
fabulous chap.
I’ve had the pleasure of working side by side with Marty at Lismore base hospital and Ballina hospital.
A truly beautiful man , full of compassion and empathy.
I was devastated to hear of his passing.
He will be sadly missed but never forgotten.
RIP DR Mayberry.
RIP Marty and much Love to Paul and his family
Although I did not know Marty, after reading his story, I felt that he was a proud strong man who did not let adversity hold him back.
So sorry to see him pass at such a young age. He still had plenty to give to this world. All my sympathy and best wishes to his family
Dr. Marty was a great Doctor and It was a pleasure working with him in Ballina Rehab. Will be always missed
Very sorry to hear of Marty’s passing. Much love to Paul and the family.
Oh my goodness, I met the courageous and amazing Marty when he was about 5 years old, at his parents home. He was such a gorgeous little boy.
I am so saddened to hear of your loss, Paul and all his family.
May you feel held and loved during this difficult time.
Warmly, Helena Wall. Urunga.2455.Australia
I wish to pass on condolences from Nancy, Susan and Trish, who had the privilege of renting the amazing beachcomber dve, house from Paul Mayberry from 1997 to 2002. I, Nancy being a keen snowboarder, remember having conversations with Paul about Marty and his love for skiiing. What a high achiever and how proud you must be of the amazing man he became. So sorry for your loss.
Paul and Gayle Mayberry were our accountants and friends when we lived in Byron and beyond. We knew Marty to a lessor degree, but knew of his enormous courage in handling adversity. Such a sad day and time to read of his passing. Why do the good ones have to die so young??
As a patient of Dr ‘Marty’ Mayberry for less than twelve months this last year, I very quickly saw qualities of a man who had a unique skillset to identify with his patients.
Is it no wonder given his own life’s adversities where he simply understood his patients with such empathy and sincere compassion.
To his family, friends and staff at QRS please accept my sincere condolences for what is such a tragic loss of a truely courageous and incredible talented man.
Such a big part of my recovery from dual knee replacement over the last six months . Not once, why I was sooking about my knees, did he ever let on that he was a double leg amputee. He showed empathy and understanding to me like no other medical physician has over this process, now it makes sense. The world a much lessor place without a bloke like him. When I first met him and shook his hand I said “nice to mee you doc” his response was, “call me Marty, I insist “.
I’m so sorry to hear of Dr Marty’s passing.
Condolences to his family and young boys.
He was a fabulous Dr so very kind and caring.
I was a patient with Marty. He changed my life. His compassion and understanding were unmatched in any other doctor I have ever met. He saved me from unending agony that no one else would acknowledge. Vale indeed .
To Marty’s family: I was astounded by the accomplishments of this still young man. Incredible!
His parents are to be commended for supporting him through some difficult times. Lyn and Taj McCormick.
So sad to hear of Marty’s death. My deepest sympathies to Gail and Paul. Best wishes to you and your family.