When Steve Zmuda first heard the sound of sirens and news of a shark attack at the nearby beach, he began reaching out to his friends. Little did he know, the swimmer involved in the tragic incident was his own beloved daughter, 17-year-old Charlize Zmuda.
Steve vividly recalls the moment he got the news that every parent fears. “I asked, ‘Is it a fatality… do we know them?’ Then came the words I never expected, ‘Steve, I have to tell you, it’s Charlize.’ At first, I thought it was a joke. I screamed, and soon the neighbors came out to see what happened.”
Struggling to Inform His Wife
Steve attempted to reach his wife, Rene, but was overwhelmed with emotion and couldn’t bring himself to tell her that their dear daughter had been the victim of the shark attack.
Rene recounted, “[Steve] was at a loss for words, and I was puzzled… I urged him, ‘Just tell me!’ The thought that it might involve Charlize never crossed my mind.”
“I could sense it was serious because of his silence, but I kept thinking, ‘Where do I need to be?’”
Driven by a powerful urge to see for herself, Rene rushed to the ambulance to confirm the unimaginable truth.
A Beacon of Light
Reflecting on her daughter’s vibrant spirit, Rene expressed, “Charlize was a shining light who truly touched the lives of everyone she met.”
Distraught yet determined to share a vital safety reminder, Charlize’s father, who leads the local Nippers club at Woorim Beach on Queensland’s southeast coast, reminded everyone of the importance of swimming between the red and yellow flags—a precaution Charlize failed to take that fateful day.
“Both my wife and I wish for people to continue enjoying the beauty of our beaches,” Steve conveyed to 9News. “We would never want to discourage others or endanger them.”
“Charlize had been an enthusiastic member of our club since she was just eight years old.
Devoted to her role as a lifesaver, she was always eager to do her best for our club and service our community.”
The Surf Life Saving Queensland organization, with which Charlize was closely involved, paid their heartfelt respects.
They shared, “We lost a cherished 17-year-old member of the Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club to a tragic shark attack. Her family has been an integral part of our surf lifesaving community, and our hearts are shattered.”
Their statement continued, “Surf lifesaving thrives on family and community, and today we grieve for this profound loss. To all our members, we extend our hearts and minds to her family, friends, and everyone affected. While no words can truly ease the pain, we stand united, offering our sincerest sympathies and support.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to this grieving family.
We invite you to share this story with your family and friends.