Victorian family of five killed in MH17

The lives of 28 Australians, in addition to eight permanent residents, are reported to have been cut short by the attack on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

All 8 Permanent Residents resided in Victoria.

This takes the local death toll from the MH17 tragedy to 36.

On Saturday afternoon it was revealed a Victorian family of five had been confirmed as passengers on MH17.

Hans van den Hende, his wife, Shaliza Dewa, and their three children Piers, Marnix and Margaux, were aboard the Malaysia Airlines flight, which was downed in disputed territory in eastern Ukraine.

The family lived at Eynesbury, west of Melbourne.

Piers, 13, played soccer at Melton Phoenix, and club president Steve Fuller told AAP he had found out about the family's death early on Saturday morning.

The club is ringing the families of Piers' teammates.

Family friend Deanne Jenkins said the family were very kind and community orientated.

"(The) children were involved in many sports," she told Channel Ten.

"It hasn't just affected us here in Eynesbury but it's affected the wider community."

Marnix van den Hende was a successful swimmer with the Melton Swimming Club.

A memorial will be held for the family at Eynesbury on Sunday.

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.

Emma Bell, Northern Territory

Emma Bell, a teacher at the Maningrida College in Arnhem Land, was among three Territorians killed in the incident.

Ms Bell's friend Bernard Price says her students will be upset at the news.

"She sort of had an infectious nature that rubbed off on everyone," he said.

"Especially out here, from an education point of view - I'd sort of describe her as one of the very few who actually get it when it comes to Indigenous education."

Ms Bell had been teaching in the Maningrida community for nearly 18 months.

"She's been remote for a few years and is very good at what she does so it's going to be a huge loss," Mr Price said.

"I know they couldn't speak more highly of her out there - and the emotion is still pretty raw so [people are] really upset by the news.

"It's not something you'd expect to happen in the small community of Maningrida."

Nick Norris, Mo Maslin, Evie Maslin and Otis Maslin, WA

The 68-year-old Perth businessman Nick Norris and three of his grandchildren were on the flight's manifest and were understood to be travelling to Western Australia from Amsterdam.

Mr Norris was a long-time member of the South of Perth Yacht club and had worked in remote Aboriginal communities in education.

Mr Norris's 24-year-old son Brack said his father had been accompanying 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.

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.

The parents of the three children are receiving consular assistance in Amsterdam and are believed to be making their way back to Perth.

Sister Philomene Tiernan, New South Wales

Sister Philomene Tiernan, a Catholic nun from Sydney who was on board flight MH17, has been given a moving farewell by the Catholic school in Sydney's eastern suburbs where she spent 30 years.

Father Tony Doherty, who had known the nun for 30 years, told the congregation the service was a chance to reflect on Sister Philomene's life.

"This morning, we're here fundamentally to grieve," Father Doherty said.

"She was a a woman of astonishing grace, great charm, and above all, a gentleness.

"I must say, I found whenever being with Phil that I came away feeling a more expanded person."

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."

Father Doherty told the ABC's AM the school community is in mourning.

"I think the first thing that you were struck with was her gentleness and her courtesy," he said.

"Her character was quite an immediate sensitivity to people and who they were, so there's been a wave of grieve that's met this tragic news in the last day."

Michael and Carol Clancy, New South Wales

NSW retirees Michael and Carol Clancy, who were on board flight MH17 on a European trip, are being remembered as outstanding local teachers.

The couple aged 57 and 64 were from Kanahooka, south of Wollongong.

Mr Clancy, the former deputy principal of Albion Park Public School, had a passion for teaching disabled children.

His longtime friend and former principal, Jim Cooper, says he suffered chronic arthritis and would teach while enduring extraordinary pain.

"The sad part for us as well is we were all planning to get together with a group of friends tomorrow actually for a birthday party so it's going to be a very sombre affair," he said.

Mrs Clancy was also a teacher and is being remembered for her community work.

Albert and Marie Rizk, Victoria

Albert, a real estate agent, and his wife Marie were on the final stretch of a European holiday.

The Sunbury pair, who had two children, were heavily involved in the local Sunbury Football Club over the past decade.

The couple 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.

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.

Howard and Susan Horder, Queensland

Howard and Susan Horder were retirees from the state's Sunshine Coast.

The couple's three sons - Matthew, David and Adam - released a statement saying they are devastated by the loss of their parents.

They thanked family members, friends and the public for their support since news of the tragedy broke.

"Howard and Susan touched the hearts of many and will be missed," the statement read.

"They lived a happy life and provided much love and care for all those around them."

Liliane Derden, ACT

A mother of two daughters, Liliane 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 Ms Derden.

"The CEO and staff of the NHMRC are deeply saddened by the loss of our valued colleague and friend," the statement read.

"Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time."

ACT Acting Chief Minister Andrew Barr said it was devastating news a Canberra resident was on the flight.

"It's devastating news for the family and friends of that ACT resident and indeed our sympathies go to not only to the families here in the ACT who are impacted, but across Australia and indeed around the world.

"It's a great tragedy and it's certainly hitting home here locally."

Helena Sidelik, Queensland

Helena Sidelik, 56, was returning home to the Gold Coast after a holidaying in Europe before she died in what colleagues have described as an "incomprehensible plane disaster".

Her brother Hans Sidelik says she had been to a wedding in Amsterdam and had spent three weeks holidaying in Greece.

He says his only sister will be greatly missed.

"Very very funny person, loved life, not afraid to speak up and just enjoyed life," he said.

A statement from colleagues at Vision Personal Training said: "We will truly miss your smiling and infectious personality that we have all become super fond of."

"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 and Liam Davison, Victoria

Toorak College, at Mount Eliza, has confirmed that teacher Frankie Davison and her husband Liam were travelling on the flight.

Principal Helen Carmody described Mrs Davidson as a much-loved teacher, colleague and friend.

"Frankie was an inspirational teacher and the most amazing person," she said.

"She was kind, generous, and truly warm and giving to everybody - she was a very, very popular teacher and was well-loved by all the students, parents and staff."

Mary and Gerry Menke, Victoria

Business owners Mary and Gerry Menke from the small coastal community of Mallacoota in far eastern Victoria were among the passengers on flight MH17.

The couple were involved in the abalone industry and in producing pearl jewellery.

Jeanette Seignior from Business and Tourism East Gippsland says it is shocking news.

"They work in a unique part of the world - a very beautiful part of the world," she said.

"You know, abalone's out in the ocean and Mary owns the local beauty and hairdressing shop in Mallacoota.

"Mallacoota's not a very big place so it'll be a great loss for that community."

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.

Wayne and Theresa Baker, Northern Territory

Married former public servants Wayne and Theresa Baker from Darwin were returning home after holidaying in Europe.

The couple have two adult sons still living in the Top End.

Mrs Baker's mother Angela Turnbull remembers her daughter as a loving and devoted person.

"She loved her job - she only just retired from her job in March in Darwin and their plan was to do a lot of travelling," she said.

"She was a very devoted mother."

Ms Turnbull says the couple lived in the Darwin region for most of their adult lives.

"Before they got married, they moved up there and then they came home and got married and moved back up there because [the] work situation was better than down here," she said.

Arjen and Yvonne Ryder, WA

Married couple Arjen and Yvonne Ryder from Albany in the state's south were on board flight MH17.

Mr Ryder worked for the Department of Agriculture while his wife was a teacher.

Friend Ruhi Furdowsian says the couple were the heart of a loving family.

"I was very shocked and I was wondering how people around the world still do these kinds of atrocities," he said.

"It was a beautiful family and now the core of that beautiful family is shattered - the parents are gone."

Mr Furdowsian worked with Mr Ryder for many years and says he was a good worker.

"The memory I have of him is his lovely smile and approachable attitude that he had," he said.

"He was a very hard-working person, always on time, always dedicating his life and time to his work."

Edel Mahady, WA

Edel Mahady who was on board flight MH17 was an administrator at a West Australian Catholic school.

Marco Grippeling, Victoria

Melbourne IT worker Marco Grippeling was on board downed flight MH17.

His family has appealed for privacy after learning of his death and issued a statement.

"Marco's wife, family and friends, both in Australia and Holland, are completely devastated about their loss," the statement read.

Crew members on board

A list of crew members has also been released.

They include:

Captain: Wan Amran Bin Wan Hussin (male, 50 years old)

Captain: Eugene Choo Jin Leong (male, 45 years old)

Vice- captain: Ahmad Hakimi Bin Hanapi (male, 29 years old)

Vice- captain: Muhamad Firdaus Bin Abdul Rahim (male, 27 years old)

Dora Shamila Binti Kassim (female, 47 years old)

Lee Hui Pin (female, 42 years old)

Hamfazlin Sham Binti Mohamed Arifin (female, 42 years old)

Azrina Binti Yakob (female, 41 years old)

Chong Yee Pheng (female, 40 years old)

Mastura Binti Mustafa (female, 40 years old)

Nur Shazana Binti Mohamed Salleh (female, 31 years old)

Angeline Premila Rajandaran (female, 30 years old)

Mohd Ghafar Bin Abu Bakar (male, 54 years old)

Shaikh Mohd Noor Bin Mahmood (male, 44 years old)

Sanjid Singh Sandhu (male, 41 years old)