Parents of Bondi massacre’s youngest victim want footbridge saved and warn on rushed laws

The parents of 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest person killed in the Bondi massacre, have said they would like the heritage-listed footbridge used by the alleged gunmen to be saved and painted yellow in honour of the sundress their daughter wore. In their first interview since the attack with the ABC, Valentyna Poltavchenko and Michael Britvan also thanked the woman who saved their younger daughter.

The future of the pedestrian footbridge has been placed on hold after a Waverley council meeting heard the debate over its fate was “really upsetting”. New South Wales premier Chris Minns has called for it to be torn down to prevent it from becoming a “ghoulish reminder”. Matilda’s parents suggested painting the bridge yellow and installing a plaque to commemorate the 15 victims, and said they would like the park where the Chanukah by the Sea event was held to be renamed “Matilda’s Park”.

Britvan warned against using his daughter’s death to justify new legislation, saying he did not believe it would prevent another attack. He told the ABC: “Criminals do not care about any laws you make about any speech or any guns.

Key Topics

Politics, Matilda, Bondi Massacre, Chanukah, Waverley Council, Chris Minns