Moving tribute at North Beach for victims of Bondi terror attack
The president of North Wollongong Surf Club, Dave Meredith, led dozens of fellow lifesavers in a moving tribute, standing shoulder to shoulder as a mark of respect for the victims of last weekend’s horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach
“Even though we might be 90 kilometres from Bondi, we are with Bondi. We’re all with Bondi.”
With those words on Sunday morning, the president of North Wollongong Surf Club, Dave Meredith, led dozens of fellow lifesavers in a moving tribute, standing shoulder to shoulder as a mark of respect for the victims of last weekend’s horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.
At the start of today’s patrol, lifesavers, including those not on duty, were encouraged to wear their patrol uniforms and stand for three minutes' silence in a single line along the shore, facing the sea. Many watching on at the beach also stood silently in solidarity.
There were no speeches but clearly it was an emotional event, as members held each other, some shedding tears, as today marked seven days since the tragic events at Bondi that claimed 15 innocent lives.
The federal and NSW governments declared today a Day of Reflection, the final full day of Chanukah, a time traditionally associated with light, faith and resilience. The Australian community is invited to light a candle at 6.47pm and observe a minute's silence as an act of remembrance with family, friends and loved ones.
Dave Meredith expresses pride in the response from his members. At right: all ages joined in the tribute at North Beach.
Bringing the community together
After the beach tribute, Dave Meredith thanked his North Gong members for a “fabulous” response. “I could not be more proud of you as a club. We like to be proud that we accept everyone, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, and to have such tragic events like this just splits the community. But events like today help bring the community together.
“So while we’ve seen the worst in that tragic event, we’ve also seen the best of how people responded directly at the time and clearly there’s been an incredible response from people during the past week. As a surf club, even though we may be 90km from Bondi, we are with Bondi. We’re all with Bondi.”
Pat and Jordan support each other through an emotional three minutes' silence.
Two good friends on surf patrol, Pat and Jordan, held each other close during the three minutes' silence on North Beach.
Jordan said she was still coming to terms with the “horrific” events of a week ago. “One of my closest friends has cried a lot this week. I think we’ve all been affected by it.”
Pat, a patrol captain, said, “We put ourselves on a beach and feel safe.” He felt it was unthinkable that such a terrible attack happened at a beach, a sacred place for millions of Australians. “It is like it happened in a church.”
He felt today’s event was important for the club. “Releasing these emotions is a good thing… from anger to gratitude. As much as there are negatives, there have also been a lot of positives in the way people have rallied in support.”
Damien says there’s no place for politics and religion at our beaches. At right: John says the terror attack “strikes deep”
No place for politics at the beach
Mates John and Damien felt the fact the terror attack happened at Australia’s most famous beach made it even more painful.
“Politics and religion should not come to the beach,” John said. “It’s a real kick in the guts for Australian society. It hits your lifestyle and values. It strikes deep.”
Damien agreed: “The beach is a place of relaxation, contemplation and safety. It’s no place for violence. Today we’re all standing shoulder to shoulder against that.”
Former North Bondi surf club member Alex: “Bondi is not letting go of what Bondi is known for"
Alex is a new member at North Gong. Today was his second patrol. He was four years with the North Bondi club and so he’s been impacted by last Sunday’s events more than most.
“We couldn’t believe it," Alex said. "It was much worse than we could ever have imagined on our beach, or anywhere in Australia.
“Bondi Beach has always been very safe. It invites people from all around the world, which is the beautiful part of Bondi. We can have 30,000 people on the beach sometimes, and it’s supposed to be a place of life. People aren’t in their suits. It strips everyone of their titles and makes everyone equal on the beach, which is a very nice thing. Then to have something that tries to rip that apart is unbelievable.
“I know a few from my patrol who were first responders last week and they seem strong. They’re holding it all together. There’s a lot of unity and strength and a lot of incredible community support.
“Bondi is not letting go of what Bondi is known for.”
Members stand silently in solidarity. At right: Manuel says the events of last weekend should never be repeated
A time to show unity
Patrol captain Manuel said today’s Day of Reflection was “very important for everyone in Australia, not just members of surf clubs, to show unity.
“It’s still very hard to comprehend what happened. It’s just incomprehensible and very sad. It’s terrible and all we can do is show unity and try to ensure it’s not forgotten, and also never repeated.”
North Gong club captain Dave Meredith said the spirit of the surf lifesaving movement has again shone through in the past week.
“Surf Life Saving NSW and Australia have responded magnificently as they always do. When there’s a critical event on a beach there’s always fabulous support from within the organisation, and I think that’s why it’s such a well-known organisation and that’s why people want to be a part of it because people want to give back.
“The fact that so many of the guys at Bondi and North Bondi had such a significant input in treating so many injuries just shows what human nature is like in a time of adversity.”
