Malaysia Airlines MH17: Devastation as the list of Australian victims is revealed
Updated 1 hour 42 minutes ago
A Catholic nun, an estate agent, a teacher, a husband-and-wife pair of doctors, a businessman and his three pre-teen grandchildren. Just some of the Australian lives cut short by the attack on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
At least 28 ordinary Australians were returning home with Malaysia Airlines, but never made it. For their families and friends, life will never be the same.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott spoke for many when he said the tragedy was "a grim day for our country and a grim day for the world." He said: "We bleed for them, we grieve for them and we will do everything we can."
Here are the Australians so far feared to have lost their lives.
Sister Philomene Tiernan, New South Wales
A Catholic nun from Sydney, Sister Philomene worked at a private Catholic school in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
In a letter to students, principal Hilary Johnston-Croke said the school was devastated by the loss of Sister Philomene who had been attending a retreat in Joigny in France.
"Phil was a very much-loved staff member and friend," she said.
"We are devastated by the loss of such a wonderfully kind, wise and compassionate woman who was greatly loved by us all."
Albert Rizk & Marie Rizk, Victoria
Albert, a real estate agent, and his wife Marie, were on the final stretch of a European holiday.
The Sunbury pair, and parents of two, have been described by friend Ken Grech as "beautiful" people.
He said the Rizks had called their son James the night before the flight to notify them of a change to their travel plans.
"[They tried to] move it forward because the interconnecting flight was a nine-hour stay so they thought if they could change their flight they would do so, but unfortunately that didn't occur," Mr Grech said.
"It hasn't really sunk it yet that their parents aren't going to walk in the front door at home," he said.
Nick Norris, Mo Maslin, Evie Maslin and Otis Maslin, WA
The 68-year-old Perth native and three of his grandchildren were on the flight's manifest and were understood to be travelling to Western Australia from Amsterdam.
Mr Norris's 24-year-old son Brack said his father had been accompanying the children: Mo (12) , Evie (10) and Otis (8) Maslin home to Australia.
Their parents had remained in Amsterdam for a few more days but Mr Norris, a father of four, was bringing them home to return to school.
Son Brack described the situation as "surreal" and thought it was "ridiculous" when a sister called from Sydney to tell him about the crashed plane.
"I couldn't believe it ... I love my dad extraordinarily and they were amazing kids," he said.
Roger and Jill Guard, Queensland
Pathologist Roger Guard and his wife, GP Dr Jill Guard, were returning from a holiday and medical conference.
Toowoomba Hospital Foundation chief executive Peter Rookas said the pair were well respected in the community.
"Roger and Jill went off on a holiday and then attended a medical conference and were actually returning with doctors from that conference on MH17, so we have lost some absolutely brilliant people," he said.
Liliane Derden, ACT
A mother of two daughters, Ms Derden from Hall in Canberra's north, has been identified as being on board flight MH17.
Ms Derden was a public servant who worked with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in Canberra.
The NHMRC issued a statement honouring their "valued colleague and friend".
Helena Sidelik, Queensland
Ms Sidelik was returning home to the Gold Coast after holidaying in Europe before she died in what colleagues have described as an "incomprehensible plane disaster".
"We will truly miss your smiling and infectious personality that we have all become super fond of," a statement from colleagues at Vision Personal Training said.
"May your spirit and soul live on within every one of us that you touched, may you be blessed to soar high above the clouds and smile down on us with double scotch and water and may you rest in peace for eternity."
Frankie Davison and Liam Davison, Victoria
Toorak College, at Mount Eliza, has confirmed that teacher Frankie Davison and her husband Liam were travelling on the flight.
"Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to their children Milly and Sam and family. We are devastated by the news of this tragedy," Toorak College principal Helen Carmody said in an email to students and alumni.
"Frankie will be remembered as a much loved teacher, Year 8 coordinator, colleague and friend."
Elaine Teoh and Emiel Mahler, Victoria
Victorian-based finance workers Elaine Teoh and Emiel Mahler have been remembered as "beloved" staff at IG Australia.
As foreign nationals, Ms Teoh - who was Malaysian - and Mr Mahler - who was Dutch, have not been counted on the official toll of Australians killed in the disaster.
In a statement, IG Australia sent its condolences to the families of the pair.
"IG Australia wishes to send its deepest sympathies ... to the families of our colleague and former colleague Elaine Teoh and Emiel Mahler," it said.
Ms Teoh graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2008.
On social media, David Teoh Qi-en said he had confirmation from Malaysia Airlines that his sister was on board the flight.
"While I understand public opinions and comments on MH17, I urge my friends to remain wise and calm when talking about it and also [to] keep my family and I in prayer as we are going through these tough times," he wrote on Facebook.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-18/mh17-australian-victims/5607188
