Hundreds gather to pay respects to 17-year-old Charlize Zmuda killed in Bribie shark attack

The father of a 17-year-old shark attack victim has held back tears as he talked about his daughter’s legacy.

• Photos: Tears as mourners gather

The father of a 17-year-old shark attack victim has held back tears as he talked about his daughter’s legacy while calling for swimmers to return to the water.

Speaking to Sunrise on Wednesday morning, Charlize Zmuda’s dad, Steve Zmuda, emotionally spoke about the overwhelming support his family has received.

Charlize was swimming off Woorim Beach near Rickman Pde when she was fatally attacked by the shark about 4.45pm on Monday.

The teen was well known in the community and was a member of the Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club and is believed to have been with friends when the incident occurred.

“I just want her to be remembered,” Steve Zmuda said on Wednesday.

On how the Bribie Island community has supported the family, he said the community is now “home” to him.

“I knew I was moving to a beautiful place, I’m so happy to call this home even though I’ve had the worst few days. I love this place,” he said.

17-year-old Charlize Zmuda was killed by a shark at Woorim Beach. Picture: Supplied.

“I encourage people to come back to the beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. The only thing she did wrong that day was she didn’t swim between the red and yellow flags.”

Family, friends and members of the public continued a steady stream of floral tributes for Charlize at Woorim Beach on Wednesday.

Flowers have lined the railing leading onto the beach and Charlize’s family could be seen huddled nearby, speaking amongst themselves.

Photos: Tears as mourners gather on Bribie Island

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Steven was joined by his wife and surrounded by family and friends visiting the site of where he tragically lost his daughter less than 48 hours ago.

“Dear Charlize, you were an amazing person, you always made me laugh, so thank you for being who you were,” a message on a bouquet of flowers said.

Tabby, a close friend of Charlize, said she had known her since she was 8.

“It was good to watch her grow up, but very sad. She was a very sweet girl,” she said.

Yvonne Bradley from Scarborough laid flowers on the beach for Charlize and she had a close encounter with sharks while paddling on her board in November.

“I got a big freight, I was absolutely terrified,” Ms Bradely said.

“It was right on my board, there were two and right underneath me, but their fins were like six or seven inches erected from my board.”

Hundreds of people gathered at Bribie Island for a vigil on Tuesday to honour Charlize.

Dozens carried large colourful bouquets of flowers ready to laid at the vigil and bright green and yellow balloons were taken down to the beach.

About 200 people including family and friends stood together in silence gazing towards the water with the beach entrance fence was lined with bouquets and candles.

As the vigil began, the community drew in closer on the beach, surrounding the heartbroken family of Charlize Zmuda.

Close family members huddled together, taking turns sharing stories and saying heartfelt words about the 17-year-old.

Steve Zmuda, Charlize’s father, led the group up towards the beach’s entrance holding a candle as family trickled in around him.

The community watched on in silence as the Charlize’s family shared longing hugs and tears.

The family then let dozens of bright green and yellow balloons go into the air to honour Charlize’s life.

Surf life saving club members and friends of Charlize lined up along the water’s edge to throw flowers into the water.

Dozens of tributes, flowers and candles were laid along the sand dunes after the vigil.

As the sky grew darker, locals stood beside each other in silence to remember Charlize.

Friends and family gathered for a vigil for Charlize Zumba at Woorim. Picture NewsWire/David Clark

Earlier, Charlize’s parents Renee and Steven Zmuda described her as a “shining light who touched everyone she met”.

“She loved the beach and it truly was her happiest place on earth,” Ms Zmuda said in a statement.

Mr Zmuda also revealed an incredible selfless act saying that he wanted beach goers to “feel confident and safe in the water”.

Hundreds gathered to mourn the loss of Charlize. Picture NewsWire/David Clark

“Something that my wife and I want to say is: we don’t want people to stop coming to the beach and enjoying our beach,” Mr Zmuda said.

“It’s a big part of our lives.

“We’ve got family here … the community ... and we love everybody here, so please still come to the beach and enjoy the surrounds of every beach up and down the coast.”

A GoFundMe created on Tuesday to support the family of Charlize Zmuda has received more than $46,000 in donations over the span of just 18 hours.

One of her classmates donated $100 to the fundraiser, thanking Charlize for the fun memories she helped create during their school musical in 2023, adding that the whole grade will miss her.

Originally published as Hundreds gather to pay respects to 17-year-old Charlize Zmuda killed in Bribie shark attack