Whakaari/White Island eruption: Sydney family of four feared dead

Wednesday, 11 December 2019

Berend Hollander'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, his school said.

Two young boys missing, feared dead along with their parents have been described as 'vibrant' members of their school community.

Sydney family, Barbara and Martin Hollander and their children Matthew, 13, and Berend, 16, are unaccounted for following Monday's eruption at Whakaari/White Island.

Matthew Hollander, 13, is missing feared dead along with his parents, Barbara Hollander and Martin Hollander, and his brother Berend.

The teenagers attended Knox Grammar School. Martin Hollander, the freight initiatives manager at Transport for New South Wales, is a former pupil.

In a statement on behalf of the Hollander family, a Knox Grammar School spokesman said Matthew was a 'vibrant' member of the school.

No-one has heard from the Hollander family since Monday's eruption.

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Matthew was actively involved in cadets, and represented the school in basketball, squash and debating. He was elected as a mentor representative this year and enjoyed history and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education.

'With a close circle of friends, Matt has been popular amongst his peers. Matthew has always been enthusiastic about life and involved in many school and year group activities.'

Berend is 'actively engaged' in sport and co-curricular actives at the school, developing a passion for AFL, cadets and his biggest passion, baseball.

'He has shown a great passion for the outdoors and camp. Berend has been a compassionate and enthusiastic student, with an interest in software design.

'Berend's engaging smile and quirky sense of humour has made him a good mate to his close group of friends and a welcome member to every classroom.'

In a letter to parents on Tuesday, headmaster Scott James said it was 'with a heavy heart' he could confirm the family were unaccounted for following the eruption.

'[The family] were on holiday in New Zealand and are currently listed as missing.

'We are in close contact with the relatives and they are providing us with updates.'