At 6:47pm yesterday, exactly one week after a shooting unfolded at Sydney’s picturesque Bondi Beach, thousands of people held a minute’s silence to remember the 15 innocent lives that were taken.
ABC photojournalists Che Chorley and Jack Fisher were at the memorial service to capture those moments.
On a national day of reflection, Australians marked the moment that everything changed.
Thousands of people gathered at the place where Australia’s Jewish community was viciously attacked.
At the Bondi service were people from all walks of life: the local Jewish community, the nation’s political leaders, and ordinary Australians wanting to show solidarity.
And on display were many tributes and markers of respect for those killed and injured.
Fifteen people were killed a week ago, among them rabbi Eli Schlanger.
He had worked in Bondi’s Jewish community for 18 years.
“I want to say clearly, and from the deepest place in my heart, this event is Eli’s dream come true,” rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, executive director of the global headquarters of Chabad, told the crowd yesterday.
“Thousands of Jews standing together as one, thousands of non-Jews showing up standing shoulder to shoulder.
Among the symbols to emerge from the massacre has been the bee, which represents the youngest victim of the Bondi attack: 10-year-old Matilda.
A rendition of Waltzing Matilda was played in her memory.
There was also a standing ovation for Ahmed Al Ahmed, the man who tackled one of the Bondi gunmen to the ground and wrested away his weapon.
The Syrian-born tobacco vendor remains in hospital. However, he passed on a message yesterday: “Today I stand with you, my brothers and sisters. Thank you, my brothers and sisters.”
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And as Australians grieved those lost, survivors of the massacre had messages of their own.
Teenager Chaya Dadon, who was at Bondi last weekend when the shooting broke out, addressed the crowd.
“Be the light … be the light in the field of darkness.”
“That will make us stronger … we are mourning, but we are getting stronger as a nation. We are growing.”
Leaders from across the political spectrum were also at the memorial to show their support for the Jewish community.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane both gave speeches, with the latter recounting how she arrived at Bondi “while shots were still being fired”.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn read a letter from King Charles III, and there were audible boos as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived at the service.
Mr Albanese was joined by some of his predecessors, including John Howard and Scott Morrison.
Amid the scenes of heartbreak, there were reminders of the dangers the Jewish community faced.
As crowds gathered, police could be seen on patrol, maintaining a conspicuous presence at the scene of the attack.
It was a visible reminder that after the events of Sunday, December 14, things may never be the same again.
