A Melbourne family is "crippled with sadness" after mother and son Carol Friday and Greig Friday were among the 150 killed when Germanwings flight 4U9525 came down in southern France.
Carol had just celebrated her 68th birthday and Greig was a month off turning 30. They were on a holiday together before Greig, a mechanical engineer, began a stint teaching English in France.
During question time in parliament on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop read a statement from Carol and Greig's family.
"Our family is in deep disbelief and crippled with sadness and would like to ask for privacy," the statement read.
"They were both extraordinary and exceptional people who were loved by many, who they loved in return.
"They will forever be with us in our hearts, memories and dreams."
Ms Friday's brother Mal Coram paid tribute to his sister on Facebook, saying she was a "beautiful lady and great mate".
"The saddest day of my life. My sister, one beautiful lady, 40 year travel partner, and great mate. My nephew, one beautiful man, my Godson, super friend and Pippa's soul mate. Both taken in the GermanWings tragedy. I love you both for ever," Mr Coram wrote.
Greig, a former Monash University student, joined Jacobs Engineering in Melbourne as a graduate acoustic engineer 18 months ago.
His manager in the tight-knit team at Jacobs, Sarah Alper, said they were devastated.
"He was a lovely person, it sounds contrived, but he really was a genuinely lovely person and the workplace was better for having him a part of it," Ms Alper said.
"When he left to pursue an adventure, we were really sad to see him go and hoped one day he would come back."
She said Greig teaching English in France was the back-up plan, but he really wanted to stay in Germany with his cousin who ran an organic vegetable farm.
"He was so excited. He was just so looking forward to it, so happy and it was a delight to see," Ms Alper said.
She said Greig's family meant everything to him.
"He was the kind of guy who went away on camping trips with them," she said.
"The thought of them losing two members, it's horrendous."
Greig was a volunteer with the Victorian AIDS Council since 2007, described by VAC heads as "instrumental" in the success of its Young & Gay Peer Education Program.
The program aims to help young people overcome homophobia and celebrate sexual identity.
VAC peer education coordinator Budi Sudarto said they will miss Greig's witty personality and sense of humour.
"We will remember Greig, and we want him to know that he left a positive mark in the world and put smiles on others' faces as part of his legacy," he said.
Carol was a registered nurse, midwife and maternal and child health nurse who most recently worked for the city of Casey.
She was a "loving mother" of two – Greig and his sister Alex – and a "devoted wife" to husband Dave and sister to three brothers, her family said.
"She was a talented artist and enjoyed spending time creating with her local art group. She loved to travel and has seen many of the world's greatest sights," the statement continued.
"Carol loved life. She enjoyed every minute with her family and friends."
Neighbours in Ashwood in Melbourne's south east, where Greig lived with his parents, remembered Carol and Greig as "the best people".
Carol would often offer to take her neighbours' dogs with her on daily walks with her own small dog, said Sunaina Gupta, who lived across the street.
"If there was anything wrong, they would offer to help," Ms Gupta said through tears on Wednesday.
"They were the best people".
Next-door neighbour Frank Yaman knew something was wrong when he heard crying coming from the Fridays' house on Wednesday morning.
"Our hearts are bleeding for them," he said.
Authorities said there were 150 people on board flight 4U9525, including 144 passengers and six crew members when it crashed.
The passengers included Spaniards,Turks, two Australians, and at least 67 Germans, among them 16 high school students and two teachers who were returning from a study program near Barcelona.
