Charlize Zmuda, 17, was swimming off Woorim Beach, Bribie Island in southeast Queensland when she was attacked by a shark about 4.45pm on Monday.
The teen suffered life-threatening injuries to her upper body and died soon after she was pulled from the water, Queensland Ambulance said.
Tributes have poured in for the beloved volunteer lifesaver, with her family saying she was a shining light who touched everyone she met.
What happened on Woorim Beach at Bribie Island late yesterday is devastating. — David Crisafulli (@DavidCrisafulli) For someone so young to lose their life in a shark attack is an unimaginable tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and Bribie community. Thank you to our first responders…February 3, 2025
"She loved the beach and it truly was her happiest place on earth," the family said in a statement.
Her family said she was a gifted musician, playing the trumpet, guitar, ukulele and piano while also pursuing her passion for the ocean.
Charlize became a nipper at just eight, before becoming the vice-captain of her lifesaving patrol and competing in the Inflatable Rescue Boat world championships last year.
"She loved four-wheel-driving 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," her family said.
"Please focus on the incredible life she lived and not the awful way she died."
Surf Life Saving Queensland said it was an unthinkable tragedy to lose one of its own members.
"She and her family have been a cherished part of the surf lifesaving community for a long time and our hearts are broken," it said in a statement.
Ambulance Queensland said the teenage victim died soon after she was pulled from the water. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS)
It said surf lifesaving was built on family and a community that would come together to grieve and support each other.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli added to the tributes.
"To think that a young girl doing what she loves, could have her life taken away, is really, really troubling," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"We are incredibly sorry to that family, and we are incredibly sad for their loss."
A vigil will be held for Charlize at Woorim Beach from 6pm AEST on Tuesday.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Over the last decade there have been on average 20 shark incidents nationwide every year where people were injured, according to the Australian Shark-Incident Database.
The most recent attack in Queensland killed youth pastor Luke Walford.
The 40-year-old was bitten by a shark while fishing with family members at Humpy Island in the Keppel Bay Islands National Park in December.
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