Teenage brothers Berend and Matthew Hollander have been named as the latest Australian casualties of this week’s devastating White Island volcanic eruption in New Zealand.
Their deaths bring the number of Australians known to have perished in the tragedy to eight. Their parents Martin and Barbara Hollander are among a further nine still listed as missing.
The family of four were on a holiday aboard the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas, and were understood to be on a day trip to White Island when the disaster occurred.
Berend “Ben” Hollander, aged 16, and Matthew Hollander, aged 13, were both students of Sydney’s Knox Grammar. Headmaster Scott James wrote about the pair in a letter to the school commuity.
The headmaster described Matthew as a “vibrant member of the class of 2023”, who “had a close circle of friends and was popular amongst his peers.”
“He was always enthusiastic about life and was actively involved in school and year group activities,” the letter continued.
Ben was remembered as a “compassionate and enthusiastic student, with an interest in software design” as well as a great love for sports and the outdoors.
“Ben’s engaging smile and quirky sense of humour made him a good mate to his close group of friends and a welcome member to every classroom.”
The Hollander family released a statement saying they are “absolutely heartbroken” by the loss, writing:
“Ben and Matthew were wonderfully kind and spirited boys who lived short but very fulsome lives. They loved Knox and all their friends, and the Australian sports and outdoor lifestyle they adopted on moving from the United States six years ago. They had a positive and lasting impact on everyone’s paths they crossed.”
Also confirmed to be among the casualties are Queensland mother and daughter Julie and Jessica Richards, aged 47 and 20.
Coffs Harbour trio Karla Matthews, Richard Elzer and Jason Griffiths, who were travelling on the cruise as part of a wider group of friends, are also known to have died.
Adelaide man Gavin Dallow has been confirmed dead, while his 15-year-old stepdaughter Zoe Hosking is listed as missing presumed dead, although her body has not been recovered.
His wife Lisa Dallow remains in critical condition.
On Wednesday, three Royal Australian Air Force aircraft were dispatched to bring survivors back home for treatment, and a total of three have been repatriated so far.
Two more are expected to arrive today, and Fairfax say that NSW Health is expecting a total of ten victims to be flown home for treatment, with more to be treated in Victoria.
Authorities in New Zealand are currently investigating whether the tour company that carried out the trip to White Island was aware of any danger or increased risk of an eruption.
