Father plans surf lifesaving gala for Bribie Island shark attack victim Charlize Zmuda
Charlize Zmuda attended her school formal four days before her death. (Supplied: Zmuda family)
The ocean off south-east Queensland's Bribie Island is where father Steven Zmuda feels closest to his late daughter.
"That first swim after she passed … I grabbed the water and just pushed it up to my face and I could feel Charlize's presence with that," he said.
Charlize Zmuda was swimming at Woorim Beach, Bribie Island, last year when she was attacked by a shark.
Charlize Zmuda, 17, was swimming at Woorim Beach, Bribie Island, last year when she was attacked by a shark. (Supplied: Zmuda family)
Emergency services were called to the unpatrolled beach just before 5pm on February 3, but the 17-year-old could not be saved.
Reflecting on the last year without Charlize, Mr Zmuda sighed heavily.
"As good as I can be for what it's like when you lose a child," he said.
Mr Zmuda, a proud member of the Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club, often visits Fifth Avenue at Woorim Beach.
Steven Zmuda misses Charlize every day. (Supplied: Zmuda family)
His wife and Charlize's mother Renee Zmuda, is there every sunrise, drawing a heart in the sand and writing a message for her eldest daughter.
It's where they feel Charlize's presence.
"It's the most important spot because that's where Charlize rested at when she came in off the beach," Mr Zmuda said.
Friends and family gathered at a Bribie Island beach for the one-year anniversary of Charlize's death. (Supplied: Zmuda family)
The Moreton Bay Council announced on October 15, 2025 — what would have been the teenager's 18th birthday — that the area will be named 'Charlize's Place', with a plaque yet to be erected.
Councillor Brooke Savige said she had never known a 17-year-old who had touched so many others in their lifetime.
"The ocean is cleansing and I think that's a really beautiful way to remember Charlize and provide a nice, quiet place of reflection," she said.
Ocean-loving, hardworking, musically gifted
The ocean had always been central to Charlize's character, her dad explained.
"The dolphins, the turtles, everything out there in the ocean she loved," Mr Zmuda said.
"She'd spend so much time at the beach."
Charlize started as a Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club nipper from the age of eight, was vice-captain of her patrol, and competed with the IRB team in the Lifesaving World Championships.
"She was about to go into the process of getting a silver medallion so that she could become a patrol captain at the beach," Mr Zmuda said.
Charlize Zmuda starred in many high school musicals. (Supplied: Zmuda family)
"We were about to buy her a boat driver's ticket so she could start driving the IRBs [inflatable rescue boats] on the beach as well."
Mr Zmuda said his daughter was cheeky, fun loving, kind, musically gifted, caring, and a hard worker.
She could play almost anything on the piano by ear and starred in numerous school musicals.
"She'd always be on the piano behind me playing while I'm trying to watch the television," Mr Zmuda said.
"I miss it so much."
Charlize worked at a local takeaway shop and always helped with chores at home.
"Up on the board at home, we've got a to-do list for the week, and it's still got the shifts that she was meant to do," Mr Zmuda said.
Four days before her death Charlize attended her school formal. She had her first kiss at the after party.
A huge crowd gathered on Woorim Beach on February 4, 2025, the day after Charlize Zmuda died in a shark attack. (ABC News: Will Murray)
"She was out with her friends most nights enjoying life as a teenager does," her father said.
"You don't realise at that time how precious the moments are because you don't realise, they're going to be taken away from you."
Charlize's legacy lives on
The Zmuda family is working with Ariana Doolan, Member for Pumicestone, and Surf Life Saving Queensland to plan a yearly gala in Charlize's name.
It will fundraise money for surf lifesaving clubs across the state.
"It's going to be special because she was a special girl and her legacy, even though she's gone, is never going to be forgotten," Mr Zmuda said.
Charlize Zmuda (left) loved the beach. (Supplied)
The first gala is set to be held in November this year.
"The vision is to turn grief into something that helps others … her legacy is one of care and service," Ms Doolan said.
"Charlize was passionate about the ocean, and she would have wanted more people to be part of surf lifesaving."
Surf Life Saving Queensland has been contacted for comment.
Charlize Zmuda took school formal pictures at the beach just days before her death. (Supplied)
'Don't live in fear'
Mr Zmuda said he did not want his daughter's death to stop anyone from enjoying Queensland's shorelines.
"Be aware of what's out there, but don't be fearful of that, because you've got a bigger chance of being struck by lightning, three times a bigger chance than what happened to Charlize," he said.
Charlize Zmuda started as a Bribie Island nipper from the age of eight. (Supplied)
When the beach reopened days after Charlize's death, Mr Zmuda and his youngest daughter Stephanie, were the first to step into the water.
"To show people not to be scared," he said.
"She wants us all, including our family, to live our lives, and enjoy our lives."