Latest news with #ZdravkoBilic
ABC News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Friends hold match in honour of slain Sunshine Coast man Zdravko 'Zed' Bilic
Zdravko "Zed" Bilic was mad about soccer, or football as it is better known outside of Australia and among the purists. He played it, coached it and watched it. Without fail he would bring his trademark warmth, enthusiasm and bright smile to every match and lesson. That is what his friends, who became family, wanted to remember on Saturday afternoon. They gathered at Albert Park in Melbourne underneath a stunning blue sky. Many were still in disbelief that a beloved member of the Albert Park Allstars, perhaps the brightest star of them all, had been taken in such horrific circumstances. "We all need to be here to grieve together," friend John Christodulakis said. "We've [Allstars] been going for 30 years and he was a part of this for around 25 years. Mr Bilic died at his Sunshine Coast home last Sunday night. Police have alleged two teenage boys, aged 15 and 17, broke into the Warana home Mr Bilic shared with his wife of nearly 20 years, Gry Tømte. She was interstate at the time of the incident but has since returned to their home. Before the match was played on Saturday, friend George Josevski read out a letter from Ms Tømte, who also sent down her late husband's jersey so he could be there "in spirit". "I'm pretty confident when I say that Zed loved his Albert Park Allstars almost as much as he loved our pups and I," she wrote. "In fact when I told Zed I wanted to move up north, his response was, 'No way, I've got Saturday soccer.' "It was a point of contention for more than a year, with me telling him he could fly down every weekend and besides, 'You'll find a team up there'. "To which he replied, 'But never one like this, we're family.'" The couple eventually moved to the Sunshine Coast three years ago, but remained in regular contact with their Melbourne friends. Mr Bilic did indeed find a new team, and new friends are now also mourning his loss. But every Saturday, he would send a message to the Allstars Snapchat group and last Saturday was no different, as he jokingly bragged about having to endure another picture-perfect day by the beach. "He made you the centre of the universe, and you knew you were important in his life," Mr Christodulakis said. "He didn't have a bad bone in his body, he was just a beautiful, happy person." Mr Josevski said Mr Bilic had always been welcoming of new players. "He just took everyone under his wing, the energy, the positivity and just the love. That's all he gave, love and care," Mr Josevski said. "And to be taken away tragically, unnecessarily, it's just hard to take." He said family and friends had been buoyed by the messages of support they had received from around the country and the world.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Shocking twist after two teens were charged over the death of a Queensland millionaire during an alleged violent break-in
Two teens charged with the murder of a man found dead in the front yard of his home have lengthy criminal histories and were allegedly involved in at least two robberies in the days prior. Zdravko Bilic, 57, the husband of skincare mogul Gry Tomte, was allegedly stabbed outside the couple's home in Warana on Queensland 's Sunshine Coast, on Monday. Emergency services rushed to the scene after a neighbour reported Mr Bilic was unresponsive in his front yard. He is believed to have been stabbed twice in the stomach after he allegedly confronted a thief breaking into his $2.5million five-bedroom home. Police made a breakthrough on Thursday morning when they charged two teenage boys, aged 15 and 17, with murder. One was arrested as he got off a bus, while the other was arrested on a street on Wednesday night. New details emerged when the teens appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday, where they were remanded in custody. The court heard that both the parents of one boy were in prison, while the other teen was in foster care. It's understood both teens were known to police and the Department of Child Safety, The Courier Mail reported. Police will allege the boys were involved in another break-in on the night of the alleged murder, and another in the days prior. 'We will be alleging a number of break-and-enters for the boys,' Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said. 'The vehicle was a stolen car from Brisbane, there were linked offences to that car and they have been charged with some of those offences.' He added that investigations into Mr Bilic's death continue. Police have also located the alleged murder weapon – a knife – which is undergoing forensic testing. The matter has been adjourned and will return to court on September 10. Thursday's breakthrough came as Ms Tomte, the founder of HÜD Skin and Body clinic, opened up about the heartbreak of losing her 'entire world' of 28 years. The teens (one pictured during his arrest) were remanded in custody when they faced court The couple were due to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary next month. 'We were complete opposites – and together we made a whole. People say I'm the strong one – but I could only be strong because he allowed me to be, and because he wrapped his arms around me daily to make sure I could,' Ms Tomte said. 'He selflessly, and with much pride, stood in the shadows and pushed me forward. 'But apart from being my world, and that of his family and close friends, he was so much to others too.' She recalled how one neighbour described him as 'the whole street's favourite person.' 'If you've had the privilege of being in Zed's presence, you'll know that he was literal sunshine. And the world is a little less bright without him in it,' Ms Tomte said.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Skincare mogul reveals heartbreaking 11-word comment after husband Zdravko Bilic was allegedly stabbed to death - as video emerges of two teens being arrested
A skincare mogul whose husband was allegedly stabbed to death has revealed the heartbreaking 11-word comment her neighbour made after the horrific attack. Zdravko Bilic, 57, was found dead by a neighbour in the front yard of his home on Queensland 's Sunshine Coast in the suburb of Warana at about 7.35pm on Monday. He is believed to have been stabbed twice in the stomach after allegedly confronting a thief breaking into their $2.5million five-bedroom home. His wife Gry Tomte, who founded successful HÜD Skin and Body clinic, released a full statement through Queensland Police describing the 'unbearable void' left behind. 'Zed was my entire world for 28 years,' she said on Thursday. 'From the moment we met, both of us living away from family in the new country we had fallen in love with, we knew instantly we were each others' 'person'. 'We were complete opposites – and together we made a whole.' Ms Tomte described the love others had for her husband, who was the MLP (most loved person) in his soccer teams. She said a neighbour made an 11-word comment that captured how beloved Mr Bilic had been: 'No offence Gry, but he was the whole street's favourite person.' Ms Tomte said her husband's biggest legacy is his work with Ginger Sport, a weekly soccer organisation for children in Queensland. 'Coach Zed as he was known, he was an exceptional male role model for the kids he worked with at the early childhood centres up here on the coast,' she said. 'Whether we were walking on the beach, going to the mall, or visiting the zoo – there would always be a little, enthusiastic excited voice yelling 'coach zed, coach zed!'.' She also described how some of the children he taught would tease each other with the joking accusation 'stinky socks'. He was her 'superhero', she said, recalling how he would 'drop everything to help anyone' or detour when he saw a lost dog. 'If you've had the privilege of being in Zed's presence, you'll know that he was literal sunshine. And the world is a little less bright without him in it,' she said. Her statement came following the news that police had charged two teenage boys, aged 15 and 17, with murder on Thursday morning. Footage shared by Queensland Police revealed one of the boys was arrested as he walked off a bus. The other boy was arrested on the street during the night. Detectives believe his body lay in the home's front yard for hours before his worried wife, who was interstate at the time, raised the alarm when she didn't hear from him. Sunshine Coast Detective Inspector Chris Toohey told reporters the boys allegedly stole items, such as Mr Bilic's car keys, before being confronted by him. It is alleged an altercation may have started inside the home before Mr Bilic ended up on the front lawn, reported. Insp Toohey also said the two teenagers had been charged with break-and-enter offences two days before the alleged stabbing which were unrelated. 'We will allege they broke into another address on the Sunshine Coast as well as another in Brisbane,' he said. The investigation remains ongoing. The glamorous couple, who were due to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary next month, had relocated from Melbourne in 2022 to begin their 'new adventure'. 'I think two years of continuous lockdown and bull***t really took away the shine for me re Melbourne,' Ms Tomte, 53, wrote on social media at the time. 'We are both so happy we made the decision. And now friends can visit our beautiful new home.' The lavish luxury home boasts a stunning lap pool next to the open-plan entertaining area and was just metres from the nearby beach. It was a welcome escape from the bleak lockdowns in Victoria, and both said they were 'so happy,' with their new lifestyle. 'I had the pleasure of calling Melbourne home for almost half my life,' Mr Bilic, known as Zed by friends, posted on Instagram. 'So many fantastic memories with beautiful family and friends at some great events and places.'
SBS Australia
3 days ago
- Politics
- SBS Australia
SBS News in Easy English 17 July 2025
A 15 and 17 year-old will face a Sunshine Coast children's court today, charged with the murder of a Queensland businessman. Police have charged the pair with the murder of Zdravko Bilic - a skincare entrepreneur who was stabbed to death outside his home. A neighbour found the 57 year-old's body on Monday with police alleging a disturbance led to his being stabbed twice. The Prime Minister is finishing his tour of China with a decided push toward soft diplomacy. This morning, Anthony Albanese became the first Australian leader since Bob Hawke, to visit the Giant Panda Research Base in Chengdu in the Sichuan province. Zoo staff shared information about the animals with the Prime Minister and his fiance Jodie Haydon, who is travelling with him. "It's a very clever panda that hides when the temperature sensible!" The Syrian Health Ministry reported at least three people were killed and dozens injured in an attack on the capital, Damascus overnight. United Nations spokesman for the Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric voiced his concerns. "We've seen these ceasefires be announced and then being ignored. It is important that the fighting stops. It is that all Syrians, regardless of their nationality, their confession or any other criteria, feel safe and feel protected by their government. That's why we've taken note of the announcement from the presidency about an investigation. Well obviously we want to see the results of that investigation and we want to see accountability." US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio posted on social media that the Israeli strike represented a misunderstanding and that within hours, a truce could be reached. The family of Peter Falconio, who was killed in the Australian Outback, has released a statement after their son's killer died without revealing the location of his body. The Falconio family wrote that a weight had been lifted. While they say they will not let him ruin their lives more and will focus on their remaining children, they hold out hope Peter's remains will be found. Peter was killed, and his partner Johanna Lees was kidnapped in the Northern Territory, 24 years ago. Northern Territory police say they are still committed to finding Peter. The 153rd British tees off at Royal Portrush in Ireland today, with England's Justin Rose making a 23rd bid to win. Rose has been joint runner-up twice after his debut as a teenager in 1998. Also in the mix is American J-J Spaun, who has leapt to number 8 in Official World Golf Rankings. Australian Woo Min Lee will tee off tonight at 11:30 p-m.
SBS Australia
3 days ago
- Business
- SBS Australia
A national push to combat AI facilitated child abuse
A national push to combat A-I facilitated child abuse, as rates surge Calls for calm as Israeli strikes on the Syrian capital overnight The 153rd British Golf tournament tees off today, with potential upsets in the mix Experts and government stakeholders are meeting in Canberra today, at a roundtable discussing the growing threat of Artificial Intelligence in driving child exploitation. The issue is on the rise globally, with the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children reporting a mammoth ten-fold surge in exploitation material being produced with generative A-I since 2023. The technology is accelerating the abuse of children online, via deep fake photos of real people, automated grooming, and child-like AI personas. The forum will address technologies that pose risks, drive policy reform and investment in the space and explain how A-I can be used to protect children. Colm Gannon is the CEO of the International Centre for Exploited Children in Australia. "So the thing we want to do is help law enforcement use A-I as a tool to help identify victims. There is technology out there that can assist in rapid and easy access to victim id, but what is happening at the moment is law enforcement are not able to use that technology. " A 15 and 17 year-old will face a Sunshine Coast children's court today, charged with the murder of a Queensland businessman. Police have charged the pair with the murder of Zdravko Bilic - a skincare entrepreneur who was stabbed to death outside his home. A neighbour found the 57 year-old's body on Monday, with police alleging a disturbance led to his being stabbed twice. His wife, Gry Tomte, is the co-founder of their business, HUD Skin and Body. She has told media her husband was the kindest, gentlest person she had ever unemployment rate has risen from 4.1 to 4.2 per cent. The participation rate remained the same at 67 per cent, while overall employment increased with 14.6 million people employed. It's an important indicator for the Reserve Bank, which is eyeing the employment data ahead of its next decision on interest rates. Analysts say the figure will be a deciding factor on whether the central bank moves to make a rate cut. Friends and neighbours of Mr Bilic - who is known as 'Zed' - have also voiced their grief at losing him. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the White House is working behind the scenes to restore calm, after Israeli strikes on the Syrian capital overnight. Israel said its attack on Damascus, including a strike on government buildings, was done to protect the minority Druze group which is being persecuted in Syria. The Syrian Health Ministry has told U-S media outlets at least three people were killed and 34 injured. Mr Rubio has described the situation as a misunderstanding between the nations. "We're going to be working on that issue as we speak. I just got off the phone with the relevant parties. They're very concerned about it. And hopefully we'll have some update s later today for you. But we're very concerned about it, we want it to stop. ... I'm sorry, we want the fighting to stop, because we had a ceasefire, overnight it broke down again. So we're talking to both sides, all the relevant sides on this and hopefully we can bring it to a conclusion. But we are very concerned." China has ruled out imposing any sanctions on Russia, as the international community comes under pressure to penalise the Kremlin for refusing to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine. China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, says Beijing will only use dialogue and negotiation in any dealings with Russia. Mr Lin condemned what he calls 'long-arm jurisdiction' - a pointed remark likely directed toward the United States, as President Donald Trump threatens heavy sanctions on Russia if it fails to meet a September 2 deadline to broker peace with Ukraine. Mr Lin's comments come after NATO's chief said he hoped China, India and Brazil will exert pressure on Russia over possible secondary tariffs that may be imposed by the U-S. An Indigenous-owned business in Western Australia is drawing on traditional knowledge to bring back Australia's first ever export - the sea cucumber. Tidal Moon exports the coveted delicacy to South East Asia, creating employment in a region where jobs are limited. MalganaTraditional Owner Michael Wear leads the business, which draws on traditional knowledge to harvest sea cucumbers sustainably. "The lack of indigenous people in the commercial fishing industry is so, so unfortunate. If you can create a business that's sustainable, that's culturally directed, you can create jobs and a middle class within small coastal towns." The 153rd British Open tees off at Royal Portrush in Ireland today, with England's Justin Rose making a 23rd bid to win. Lifting the Claret Jug is a longheld dream for the 44 year-old golfer, who has been joint runner-up twice after his Portrush debut as a teenager in 1998. Also in the mix is American JJ Spaun, who has leapt to number 8 in Official World Golf Rankings. Sitting at world number one and two, respectively are Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. Australian Woo Min Lee will tee off tonight at 11:30 pm
