Picturesque Bondi Beach will be the fitting backdrop for a candlelit vigil to honour the victims of Australia’s worst mass killing in years.
Six people died and six remain in hospital after 40-year-old Joel Cauchi went on a stabbing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on April 13.
Hundreds of people are expected to gather in Bondi early on Sunday evening.
It’s a setting best known for its throng of tourists, busy beaches and families out for the weekend.
But from 5.30pm, a more sombre scene will take shape as mourners gather to reflect on the victims of the deadly rampage.
A first-time mother defending her baby, the daughter of a millionaire advertising guru and an on-duty security guard were among the six people killed in the attack.
Five of the six killed were women – Ashlee Good, 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, and Yixuan Cheng, 27.
Faraz Tahir, a 30-year-old refugee who fled persecution in his native Pakistan, was also killed.
At least 12 others – including nine women – were taken to hospital after suffering stab wounds in the attack.
Six people remain in hospital, including a nine-month-old baby girl.
The vigil will begin with a minute’s silence in honour of those whose lives were lost.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said it would be an opportunity for those attending to lean on one another during what had been a terrible week for the city.
“I think if we can stand together during these difficult periods, we can send a message that there’s far more good people in this city than there are bad actors and than there is evil,” he said on Saturday.
Attendees are being asked to bring candles.
Counsellors and mental health first aid will be available on site.
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said while tougher penalties on knife offences may be considered among states and territories, he hosed down calls for security guards to be armed.
“We need to be careful not to overreact to these things, and we don’t want to see out shopping centres become sort of armed places where people feel on edge,” he told Sky News on Sunday.
“But you can’t have events like the last week occur and not rethink what might be needed, so I think that will be a really healthy discussion to have.”
A temporary floral tribute remains in place at Oxford St Mall in Bondi Junction.
A formal memorial service will occur at a later date while plans are in place for a permanent memorial to honour the victims.
A major coronial inquiry is also under way with a heavy focus on the adequacy of NSW’s mental health funding and support.
Bolstered by up to $18 million in extra funding, the inquiry will look at the police response and Cauchi’s interactions with NSW and Queensland agencies.
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