UPDATE: Sunbury community is in shock and mourning for Albert and Maree Rizk, who were aboard the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 shot down in Ukraine.
The couple were returning from a month’s holiday in Europe.
Mr Rizk, a director at Raine and Horne Sunbury, has lived with his wife in Sunbury for about 20 years.
He is a committee member and former vice-president of the Sunbury Lions Football Club.
One of Mr Rizk’s colleagues confirmed the couple’s family had been contacted by officials to notify them of their deaths.
Sunbury Football Club coach Rick Horwood said Albert didn’t have a bad bone in his body.
“He’s a charismatic person, you couldn’t meet a nicer, friendlier guy.
“Marie was a tireless worker in the canteen every home game.
“They were big around the community as well.
“This is just devastating to the community, not just the football club.
“It’s so sudden.”
Mr Horwood said the couple’s two children would be well supported.
“To lose both parents in this situation is a waste. It’s tragic.
“We’ll all get around the Ritz family and support them as much as we can.”
Club president Phil Lithgow said the Rizks were a major figure in the club community, which was shaken by their deaths.
“They were fantastic people, Albert was a committee member, sponsor of the club, Maree was a canteen helper, their son plays in our senior football team,” he said.
“They were very generous with their time in the community.”
Mr Lithgow said the Rizks were travelling with friends in Europe and were due back in Australia today [Friday].
“They were with friends and their friends got on an earlier flight,” he said.
When told the news, Sunbury councillor Ann Potter was in shock.
“They were ordinary people who had kids who enjoyed their kids’ sport. It’s just so tragic,” she said.
“I don’t know everything about what’s happening over there,” Cr Potter said.
“But here we have 298 innocent people, some going to a conference about saving other people’s lives and they’re just gone.
“It’s horrible and it’s not fair.”
It is believed that the couple are among the 27 Australians on the flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.
The plane was reportedly shot down over east Ukraine by separatists aligned with Russia.
It has been confirmed that nine Victorians were among the Australians killed in the MH17 tragedy.
Also on board were a number of prominent people heading to an AIDS conference in Melbourne, due to start on Sunday.
Premier Denis Napthine said today [Friday] was sad and tragic, not just for Victorians, but for all people of all nations.
“The shooting down of a passenger aircraft full of innocent civilians is an unspeakable act that will forever leave a dark stain on our history.
“The Victorian government stands ready to provide assistance to affected families and to the Commonwealth following this tragedy.”
Anyone requiring further information or assistance can call DFAT hotline on 1300 555 135.
More to come.
– With The Age
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