Rachel Birss

It’s a common sight on the Gold Coast, especially late nights in Surfers Paradise. Bouncers stand as sentries at every club entrance, choosing who is welcome, and who will be trying their luck down the street or across the road. But what happens when those who are meant to keep patrons safe end up doing exactly the opposite?

This is a feature on the death of Terrii Tararo, a young man who died tragically one night after a fight outside one of the Gold Coast’s most popular taverns. Terrii wasn’t fighting drunks or criminals, but the very men who were there to keep him safe. On Sunday May 18, 2008 Terrii died after a violent clash with security staff at Fisherman’s Wharf Tavern.

As of the date this was recorded investigations are still ongoing, and the official cause of death still hasn’t been determined, but I talked to Griffith students who witnessed the brawl, hoping to find out what happened in the moments leading up to Terrii’s death.