Tributes flow for Monash University student struck by truck in Mount Waverley

Friends of a “gifted” Monash Unversity student have described his passion and desire to make a difference after he was tragically killed while riding his bike in Mount Waverley.

Gazi Azraf Ezaz died when he was struck by a truck while riding his bike in Mount Waverley. Picture: Supplied

Friends of a “gifted” university student have described his passion and desire to make a difference after he was tragically killed while riding his bike in Melbourne’s southeast.

Gazi Azraf Ezaz, also known as Azraf, was struck by a truck at the intersection of Waverley Rd and Stephensons Rd in Mount Waverley on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old was riding his bike to the gym when the tragedy unfolded on the busy road about 6.40am.

Mr Ezaz was a first year student at Monash University, studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the Peninsula campus.

He graduated from Mount Waverley Secondary College as school captain last year.

Monash University acting chief operating officer and senior vice-president Trevor Woods said Mr Ezaz’s death was “a tragic loss of young life”.

“On behalf of the entire university community, I express our sincere condolences to Azraf’s family and friends, and extend our sympathy and support to his mother, as she attends her son’s funeral on Friday,” he said.

Mr Ezaz was studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Monash University.

“With the blessing of Azraf’s mother, there will be special prayers for Azraf at the end of the Friday Muslim prayers that will be held at Monash Sport from 1.15pm to 1.45pm.

“Tragic events such as this are a reminder of the importance of providing care and support for one another.”

Mr Ezaz moved from Bangladesh to Melbourne in 2018 and joined the Monash Youth Ambassadors program in the same year.

City of Monash youth services co-ordinator, Ben Heard, told the Herald Sun that Mr Ezaz was a passionate man who had a bright future ahead.

“Azraf was a unique, thoughtful and reflective young man who was passionate about ensuring youth and diversity were represented,” he said.

“He was heavily involved in the program for a period of four years during high school, engaging in civic participation with tangible and accountable outcomes.”

Mr Heard said the young student dedicated his time to community projects including co-designing a bus stop poster that promoted inclusion, equality and challenged stereotypes.

He also contributed to the development of an inclusivity statement which is used as an opening acknowledgment at all Monash Youth Services programs and events.

Mr Heard said Mr Ezaz believed in accessible mental health support.

“Azraf’s ability to listen, reflect and act, were strengths that would lead him through a variety of new leadership experiences beyond his time at Monash Youth Services,” he said.

“His passion, dry humour, calm nature and gratitude mindset will always be remembered by the team at Monash Youth Services.”

It’s understood the high-achiever volunteered at the Centre for Multicultural Youth and the Commission for Children and Young People and worked in an advisory position in the Victorian Youth Congress.

Colleagues have paid tribute to Mr Ezaz on social media, remembering him as a “young and gifted individual”.