International Grammar School community mourn after hopeful astronaut Max Meyer, 16, is killed
Max Meyer was an ambitious young teenager who dreamt of being an astronaut — but that dream was cut short this week, when Max tragically lost his life.
Max Meyer was an ambitious young teenager who dreamt of being an astronaut — but that dream was cut short this week, when Max tragically lost his life.
The 16-year-old International Grammar School student was holidaying in Austria with his parents and younger brother, when an avalanche hit St Anton in Arlberg on Wednesday.
Max was skiing with his family at the time of the accident.
The school’s principal, Shauna Colnan said it was with deep sadness that she informed the school community yesterday that one of their students has died.
“Max Meyer, 16, was about to enter Year 11, and his life has tragically been cut short,” she said.
“I have spoken with Max’s father and have extended my deepest condolences on behalf of the IGS school community, and offered the family all of our support.
“We will continue to support the family through the coming days and beyond.
“I have also advised our school community that if they need support, they can reach out to our counsellors and to senior staff and me for help.”
When speaking with Central in May last year, Max spoke of his greatest passion, space.
“I just want to get into space, it’s the dream,” Max said.
“I always knew I liked science but when I went to space camp last year, I thought, why can’t I do that?
“Even if I don’t get there, there are so many jobs where you can impact on an international level.”
Max recently went on a two week space camp to Houston and Huntsville with his classmates, where he explored rockets, old and new control centres and took a tour of NASA facilities.
Max said he had ambitions to study astrophysics and aeronautical engineering and hoped to one day work at the European Space Agency.
Tributes have flowed for Max, including from his school friends. He was known by classmates for his zeal when it came to extra-curricular exploits including the robotics club, with whom he went on a field trip to NASA in 2017.
“He was an absolute buzz to be around and so smart, especially in languages,” Hugh McIntyre said.
“He was always first to participate in initiatives at school and always striving to be more involved. Absolutely heartbreaking. He will be missed by all of his peers.”
Charlie Goodsir, a former student of International Grammar School, said he was shocked to hear about the death of Max Meyer.
“I knew him fairly well and he was a lovely kid. I coached him in debating and I was one of his year 11 mentors on year 7 camp,” Charlie said.
“One of the nicest young men you’ll ever meet. He was a keen student who was super smart and well liked by his peers … this is really upsetting he was such a great kid.”
A teacher at the boy’s school, Claire Loh, said the boy was a bright, inquisitive student.
“Such a bright boy. We had him in our robotics club in 2017 and he was on the 2017 NASA trip. Always excited to learn new things. Just an enormous loss,” Ms Loh said.
If you would like to share a memory about Max contact laura.sullivan@news.com.au
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