1,500 gather at Sydney Opera House for national mourning after Bondi attack

About 1,500 mourners packed the Sydney Opera House at 7.01pm on Thursday and fell silent for a minute during a national day of mourning for the 15 people who were gunned down six weeks earlier while celebrating the first night of Hanukah in Bondi, in what has been described as the worst terror attack on Australian soil.

The official service, organised by the local Chabad of Bondi, used the theme “Light Will Win”. Fifteen candles representing the victims were lit onstage by family members and survivors, while orthodox Jewish mourners outside offered tefillin to others. Named attendees included Larisa Kleytman; Valentyna Poltavchencko, whose daughter Matilda was the youngest victim at 10; and Ahmed al-Ahmed, who helped disarm one of two gunmen and lit the candle of Sofia Gurman.

Survivor pianist Leibel Lazaroff made a surprise appearance to perform hours after being discharged from hospital. Dozens of heavily armed police, snipers on the Opera House roof and circling helicopters underscored that Sydney remained on high alert. Tourists and locals have returned to Bondi Beach, but the attack’s memory persists in debates over the heritage-listed footbridge used by the shooters and in temporary memorials such as a menorah in Archer Park.

Three tonnes of flowers left after the attack have been removed to be preserved and turned into a permanent artwork, and mourners at Bondi Pavilion placed stones of remembrance.

Key Topics

World, Bondi Attack, Sydney Opera House, Anthony Albanese, Leibel Lazaroff, Bondi Beach