Family’s plea: Remember an ‘incredible life’
By Nick Crockford and Kylie Knight
The family of a young woman who died after she was bitten by a shark at Bribie Island yesterday have asked she be remembered for the ‘incredible life she lived, not the awful way she died’.
Charlize Zmuda, 17, died after she was bitten by a shark at Woorim Beach at 4.45pm yesterday.
It is believed she suffered serious injuries to her upper body and died shortly after 5pm.
Charlize’s mother Renee Zmuda is reported to have issued a statement saying her daughter was “loved by many and was such a shining light who truly touched the lives of everyone she met.
“She loved the beach and it truly was her happiest place on earth.
“She was a free spirit who was truly gifted musically – playing the trumpet, guitar, ukulele and piano as well as having the voice of an angel and playing lead roles in her school musicals at both primary and high school.
“She was a Bribie Island Nipper from the tender age of 8 and was the vice-captain of her patrol, competed with the IRB team in the World Championships last year and was also inspiring the current Bribie Nippers as an Under 9’s Age Manager.
“She loved 4wding up the beach and anyone who went with her knew they would have to stop and pick up every piece of rubbish she saw along the way.
“We are truly grateful for the outpouring of love and support from the community.
“Please focus on the incredible life she lived and not the awful way she died.”
Surf Life Saving Queensland said today: "Charlize and her family have been a cherished part of the surf lifesaving community and our hearts are broken.
"Surf lifesaving is built on family and community, and today we mourn this devastating loss.
"On behalf of all members, we wrap our hearts and minds around her family, friends, club, and all those affected.
"No words can ease the pain, but we stand together, offering our deepest sympathies and support."
The statement added: "As we grieve, we also come together in strength.
"The red and yellow family will stand side by side, supporting Bribie Island SLSC and the broader Surf Life Saving Queensland community in any way we can while continuing our priority to save lives and keep our beaches safe."
In a Facebook post State Member for Pumicestone Ariana Dooley says: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic incident that occurred off Woorim Beach.
“My prayers and heartfelt condolences are with the family, friends and all those affected by this devastating event.
“Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and it’s important that these processes take course.
“In the meantime, we ask for respect and privacy for the family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Shark activity
Bond University Associate Professor of Environmental Science Dr Daryl McPhee says, around Woorim on Bribie Island, there are bull sharks, the occasional tiger shark and various small whaler species.
“The species responsible for the bite will be formally identified by forensic analysis but given the location and season it was most likely a bull shark,” he says.
“The conditions at the time of the bite were moderate to strong onshore winds (from the east-southeast) which would have made seeing any sharks present at that location extremely difficult. Bull sharks are well adapted to feeding in relatively murky water.
Dr McPhee says there is no single set of conditions that increase “the risk of a bite across all three large species but there are some factors that influence the presence of bull sharks at surfing beaches including time of day, rainfall and water temperature.
“Shark bites are exceptionally rare at Bribie Island but this is of course no comfort to the friends and family of the victim. The last shark interaction was in 2019 when a surfer had his surfboard bitten.
“Local fishers have reported a lot of shark activity on or near that stretch of beach over the summer months.”
The beach remains closed today.