Tributes for Maree and Merv Schwarz Graham Tighe after shooting at Bogie west of Mackay

The family involved in a mass shooting a Bogie, west of Mackay, are being remembered as “well respected” and a “normal country family”. Read the tribute here.

Three relatives slain in a mass shooting which has shocked a remote town in North Queensland are being remembered as a ‘great, normal, country family’.

Husband and wife Maree and Merv Schwarz, and Maree’s son Graham Tighe all died of fatal gunshot wounds at a Bogie property – west of Bowen, on Thursday.
Maree, Merv and Graham purchased the Shannonvale Road property in May 2021 for $10,000,000, relocating from the Clermont region. 

Maree’s second son, and Graham’s brother, Ross Tighe from Rockhampton, survived a gunshot wound to his stomach and underwent emergency surgery on Thursday night after being flown to Mackay Base Hospital.

The family is being described as a “well respected” in both Clermont and Collinsville.

Maree’s brother-in-law Greg Austin, who is an Isaac Regional Council councillor, said the family was in shock over what happened.

“They’re all a good crew, they’re just a great normal family that you see in the bush,” he said.

“They were into horse riding, rodeo, gymkhana and had a few drinks on the weekend.”

Both Ross and Graham have been described as “doting dads” to their young families.

He said Ross lives in Rockhampton and it is understood he attended Rockhampton Grammar School.

“Graham just got married and has a little girl and a boy who’s a few weeks old,” he said.

“He (the baby) is still in hospital in Brisbane so he’d only seen him a few days … Ross has a girl.

“They’re both loveable, adoring dads … they just worship the kids … they’re bush boys who dote on their kids.”

Mr Austin said the extended family members of Maree, Merv, Ross and Graham were all “deeply in shock”.

Bogie surviving shooting victim have been identified as Ross Tighe. Picture Supplied

“We’re all pretty deeply in shock and all over the place,” he said.

“The family are all in different areas and coming from everywhere … I think everybody still can’t quite believe it really.

“In this day and age there are that many programs for things like anger management and depression … it’s a wonder how things can still get like this.”

Police are expected to charge a man in relation to the incident on Friday afternoon.