Bribie Island and Brisbane shared a moment of collective grief and remembrance as pop superstar Billie Eilish dedicated a song to 17-year-old Charlize Zmuda, who tragically died in a shark attack off Bribie Island. At the same time, the community held a memorial service for the young woman.
Tribute at Brisbane Concert
At her final Brisbane performance at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Billie Eilish honoured Charlize Zmuda by dedicating her song “Everything I Wanted” to the teenager and her family. A video shared online showed Eilish addressing the audience before the song began.
Family and friends had launched a campaign to have Eilish perform a tribute, sharing videos of Charlize, an amateur musician, performing. Social media users appreciated Eilish’s gesture, with many commenting on the singer’s respect and connection to the community during a difficult time.
Memorial on Bribie Island
Hundreds gathered for a memorial at Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club the day after the concert. Surf Life Saving Queensland, the club, and the Zmuda family organised a paddle-out in honour of Charlize. Her father, Steve Zmuda, and sister led the paddlers into the ocean. Surf life-saving boats and the Westpac helicopter, which dropped a wreath, joined the paddle-out. The beach was quiet as paddlers held hands, then cheered and splashed water into the air, with applause from the shoreline.
Two of Charlize’s school friends described the day as emotional, noting that the ceremonies and school tributes, such as a prayer garden with a plaque, provided comfort. They revealed that a private ceremony had taken place the previous day, where Charlize’s ashes, placed in a biodegradable turtle, were scattered in the ocean.
The friends wanted to keep Charlize’s memory alive by speaking about her love of life and the beach and encouraging people to respect and protect the beaches. They said Eilish’s tribute was a surprise.
Following the paddle out, Steve Zmuda embraced members of the crowd and surf lifesaving club. A Surf Life-Saving Queensland manager stated that the morning was emotional but an important step in supporting the Zmuda family. He described the incident as a tragedy and emphasised the organisation’s commitment to supporting the family.
He added that the community should continue to enjoy the beaches safely, noting Charlize’s connection to surf lifesaving. He stressed that people should continue to enjoy the beaches and ocean while respecting safety measures.
Published Date 24-Feb-2025
Photo Credit: LNPAndrewWallace/ Facebook
