Hundreds of surf lifesavers, many of whom were among the first responders who rushed to help when the December 14 terror attack unfolded, have gathered on Bondi Beach.
Reporter Barbara Miller and photojournalist Che Chorley reflect on the mood on the ground.
On Saturday morning along the sands of the world-famous bay, Bondi surf lifesavers fanned out, holding hands with lifeguards in a moving tribute to the 15 people who were killed there last week.
In a two-minute silence at 8am, only the sound of the waves could be heard.
A human chain of surf lifesavers stood along Bondi Beach.(ABC News: Che Chorley) Surf lifesavers hug during a moment of remembrance for the Bondi victims. (ABC News: Che Chorley ) Calm waters of Bondi Beach on Saturday.(ABC News: Che Chorley) Surf lifesavers hold a moment of silence for the victims.(ABC News: Che Chorley)
As the silence ended, hundreds of people watching on from the promenade broke out in applause, before the Westpac Rescue chopper performed a fly-by.
This was also a chance for the lifesavers and lifeguards, many of whom responded to the shooting, to come together to reflect and lean on each other.
The Westpac helicopter did a fly-by during the tribute.(ABC News: Che Chorley) North Bondi Life Saving Club’s Duncan McGeoch says it was “healing” to listen to the waves.
Surf lifesaver Duncan McGeoch described the event as “healing”.
“Listening to the waves and letting the events wash away,” he said.
“Standing shoulder to shoulder, I think a lot of those first responders on the beach today basically bridged the gap between ambulances coming [on the day of the attack].
“It was really nice to be there with everybody who was involved as well.”
The event gave lifesavers a chance to begin healing.(ABC News: Che Chorley) Surf lifesavers gather for the tribute event on Saturday.(ABC News: Che Chorley)
Across the country, surf lifesavers have joined the Bondi clubs for three minutes of silence.
Standing shoulder to shoulder, clubs looked out to sea from their local beaches this morning, before starting regular patrol duties at 8am.
Arcadian Surf Life Saving Club at Townsville, Queensland, stood in spirit with the Bondi clubs.(Facebook) Gove Peninsula Surf Life Saving Club in the Northern Territory also pay tribute.(Facebook)
Surf Life Saving Australia president Peter Agnew, who was among those at Bondi Beach this morning, said the mood on the ground was a sombre one.
He said many of the life savers and guards who attended today’s beach tribute had been first responders last weekend.
Surf lifesavers hold hands in a tribute to the terror attack victims.(ABC News: Che Chorley) Surf lifesavers offer support to each other.(ABC News: Che Chorley)
“They are feeling quite fragile. A number of them experienced a number of things that were quite traumatic,” he said.
“Both [North Bondi and Bondi] clubs opened their doors at the time of that crisis and welcomed the community in for safe shelter.
“It was a fairly chaotic scene. A number of our best trained life savers also left the club and went into a very large triage area supporting the people who had been injured.”
The Bondi Surf Life Saving Club was a place of refuge when the shooting took place.(ABC News: Che Chorley) Floral tributes for the Bondi terror victims.(ABC News: Che Chorley)
Mr Agnew said it was important for the community to move on from the tragedy, without forgetting what had occurred.
“I think we should always reflect on history,” he said.
“This is a time today to reflect on what’s happened, to respect the community and to acknowledge what’s happened.”
