In a powerful display of community solidarity, hundreds of people returned to the waters of Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach to honour those affected by last Sunday's tragic mass shooting.
A Solemn Gathering in the Surf
On Friday morning, just days after the attack that claimed 15 lives, surfers, paddle boarders, and swimmers converged a few hundred metres from the scene. They paddled out into the ocean to form a vast, silent circle on the gentle waves, participating in a traditional surfing tribute known as a 'paddle-out'.
Drone footage captured the scale of the gathering, showing a huge ring of people united in remembrance. The event marked the latest outpouring of public grief since the gunmen opened fire on Hanukah celebrations.
An Outpouring of Support Beyond the Waves
The paddle-out was just one facet of a remarkable wave of public support. More than $5 million has been donated across various verified fundraisers for victims, according to GoFundMe. This includes significant sums for individuals hailed as heroes, such as Ahmed al-Ahmed, who was shot twice while wrestling a firearm from an attacker.
Further community action has been overwhelming:
- Appeals for two injured police officers have raised nearly $750,000.
- More than 25,000 blood donations were made following an urgent appeal from Lifeblood.
- A record-breaking 90,000 Lifeblood appointments have been booked across Australia.
Bondi Begins to Reopen
The tribute took place as Bondi itself began to cautiously reopen. On Thursday, lifesavers put up the first red and yellow flags, signalling the return of patrolled surf. The park and bridge where the massacre occurred have also been reopened to the public after police concluded their forensic examination of the scene.
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, described the paddle-out scene to the ABC as "just beautiful" and noted he had never seen one of such size. The act served as a poignant moment of collective healing for a community and a nation in mourning.
