A candlelight vigil, supported by Waverley Council and the NSW Government, was held on Sunday 21 April to allow community to come together and honour the victims of the Bondi Junction tragedy.
The vigil started on Sunday and took place at place at Dolphin Court, Bondi Beach – south of the Bondi Pavilion.
There was a one-minute silence in honour of those whose lives were lost.
Attendees were asked to bring their own candle to take part in the vigil and kindly take candles home at the end of the evening.
A recap of Tragic Events at Bondi Westfield
Five women and one man were killed and others wounded before a female police officer Amy Scott shot 40-year-old Cauchi dead.
Five of the six people confirmed killed by Queensland man Joel Cauchi inside Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon were women.
One of the other victims, Sydney woman Ash Good, handed her nine-month-old-daughter to a stranger to save while she was being attacked.
Police have said two of the six people who died in the attack were from overseas and had no family in Australia.
Police have confirmed the man Faraz Tahir was a security guard but could provide no further details.
Cheng Yixuan, was a Chinese student studying at the University of Sydney.
It has been suggested in local and overseas media reports (such as the BBC) and by the NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb,.. that this crime may contain elements of a mysogonistic knife crime as almost all of the targeted victims were females, and the killer by passed and seems to have purposefully avoided male persons in the shopping centre.
A NSW coronial enquiry will ascertain the exact facts and circumstances.
NSW Premier Chris Minns previously said. “all of NSW would need to get behind the families of those affected by the tragedy as they went through “the inevitable grief associated with such a horrifying, horrifying event”.
Remembering the Victims
Cheng Yixuan, 25,University of Sydney (Chinese National student )
The last victim identified, Cheng Yixuan, was a Chinese student studying at the University of Sydney. Chinese social media had been alight on the Saturday of the attacks with people trying to track her down, after her family reportedly said she had called them from the shopping centre in the minutes before the attack. The student’s fiancé, who lives in China, was in contact with them over the phone an hour before the attack. The Australia Today App – a Chinese language publication – said her fiance, known only as Mr Wang, said: “She even tried on clothes for me to see.”
“I contacted her day and night, but there was no response at all. The whole family was so anxious that they didn’t dare to think too much.”
In an email to students, University of Sydney vice-chancellor Mark Scott confirmed a student – who he declined to name – had died, adding he was “shocked and saddened by the senseless loss of life”. Wang Chunsheng, China’s acting consul general in Sydney, said he was “very sorry to hear about” Cheng’s death. The student was a Chinese national studying a Master’s of Economics.
According to reports in Chinese media, the student had completed exams on campus before going on a shopping trip to Bondi Junction.
Dawn Singleton, 25
Ms Singleton, the daughter of high-profile Sydney businessman John Singleton, was working a shift in a retail store when the attack began .The 25-year-old was one of the first named Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing victims. Affectionately known as “Dawnie”, the 25-year-old (who was one of Singleton’s three daughters from his marriage to Julie Martin), died in the knifing rampage by Queensland man, Joel Cauchi.
In the hours after the attack her father became increasingly worried she was among the dead, according to Australian radio host and and family friend Ray Hadley. She was described as a “beautiful”, and “all round outstanding human”, and Ms Singleton’s fiancee, who is a serving police officer, was actually responding to the attack at the Westfield centre when the family learned she was killed.
White Fox Boutique, where Ms Singleton was working, said they were “truly devastated” by her loss
.“Dawn was a sweet, kind-hearted person who had her whole life ahead of her. She was really amazing.”
Ashlee Good,38
Ashlee was the first victim to be publicly named, She was 38-year-old mother Ashlee Good, who was attacked alongside her nine-month-old baby and died later in hospital on Saturday evening.
Ashlee Good sustained a fatal wound as she tried to protect her nine-month-old daughter from the stabbing attack.
According to witnesses, the new mother rushed into a nearby store and passed her injured baby girl – who also suffered injuries – to bystanders. They desperately pulled clothes off racks to apply pressure on their wounds and stem the bleeding.
Ms Good passed away shortly after she arrived at the hospital. Her Baby daughter has undergone surgery and is now in a stable condition.
“We are reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all-round outstanding human,” the family said in a statement, also thanking those who “cared for our baby when Ashlee could not”.
Friends have paid tribute to her as “full of life and love” and someone with a “permanent glow”.
Jade Young,
Architect and mum.
Jade Young, a Sydney architect was also among the victims in the Bondi Junction massacre.
Bellevue Hill mother-of-two Jade Young was killed when Joel Cauchi went on a stabbing rampage at the busy Westfield shopping centre on Saturday.
Ms Young was an architect and mother of two,..Ms Young was employed by an architectural firm in Double Bay and was a member of the Bronte Surf Club,..and her employer referred to Ms Young as a valued member of their boutique firm for 12 years, like family.
“This feels so unreal, I can’t believe I’m writing these words,” she shared on Instagram. If you knew Jade, you would have witnessed her amazing beauty, kindness, and warmth. We are completely devastated.”
Bronte Surf Lifesaving Club said Ms Young and her family were “much-loved members” and contributors to the local beachside community.
“This is and will be a difficult time for the community, and we encourage you to seek support from family, friends, fellow Club members or to speak to your GP to assist you in processing this tragedy,” the statement, posted on social media, said.
Pikria Darchia
Police also named Pikria Darchia as one of the victims. She described herself as an artist on LinkedIn and is reported to have been originally from Tbilisi in Georgia,in Eastern Europe.
Ms Darchia, described herself as an artist and attended the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts in Georgia.
Her social media profile is filled with photos of children and charcoal sketches.
She was the fifth victim to be identified from the Bondi tragedy.
Faraz Tahir aged 30
Faraz Tahir was a Pakistani national who sought refuge in Australia .
He was a dedicated security guard who tragically lost his life while on duty, serving and defending the public and community and was a cherished member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA). Faraz actively contributed to the charitable endeavours of the AMYA.
The only man killed in the attack, security guard Faraz Tahir died trying to protect others.He had sought refuge in Australia from Pakistan just a year ago, according to members of his local community. Friends have told local media he had worked at the shopping centre for only a week.
In a statement, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Australia said he was an “integral part of our community, known for his unwavering dedication and kindness”.Ejaz Khan, a solicitor and the president of the Pakistan Australia Association, said the news had rocked the local Pakistani community.
“The community is mourning, and the community is very distressed,” he said.
If this incident is causing you or someone you know distress please contact:
General supports for the community are also available:
- Lifeline: Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online.
- Kids Helpline: Call 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
- Beyond Blue: Call 1300 22 4636 or chat online.
- 1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or chat online.
- 13 Yarn: Call 13 92 76.
- MensLine Australia: Call 1300 78 99 78.
A temporary floral tribute was placed at Oxford St Mall in Bondi Junction, supported by NSW Government and Waverley council staff.
This is the primary site for anyone wishing to leave flowers.
An online condolence book in honour of those affected is also live at www.nsw.gov.au/bondicondolences
The NSW Government continues to work with families impacted at a later date regarding a formal memorial service and a permanent memorial to honour the victims lost.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“This has been a devastating attack that’s touched everybody in the state, whether you knew one of the victims or not.
“This vigil will be an opportunity for the community to stand together to support and honour the victims and survivors of this horrific tragedy.
“I hope they can draw some strength from the fact that there’s many people that are standing with them during this time.”
Mayor of Waverley Council Paula Masselos said:
“Our community is deep grief and this is a time to support each other and stand together. This vigil will be an opportunity to reflect and commence healing.”
* Images in this article have been obtained from the numerous “public domain” Google and Social media postings commonly available on the web.
