Today show shark attack

A beachside Queensland community is struggling to come to terms with an unimaginable loss this morning.

Charlize Zmuda, a 17-year-old surf lifesaver, was a shining light who grew up with a love of the water.

But on Monday evening, the teen was tragically killed by a shark off Bribie Island, just north of Brisbane.

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Woorim Ocean Beach remains closed this week, but Charlize's heartbroken father, Steve, said he doesn't want what happened to Charlize to discourage others from enjoying the water.

"This beach reopens in the next few days, I want as many people to come and swim at our beach and every beach up and down the coast of Australia," Steve told Today.

Steve heads the local nippers club and oversees 200 plus children each week who swim at the beach where Charlize lost her life.

He shared that Charlize was actually a patrol vice captain and how she got into surf lifesaving after the family moved

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