A candlelight vigil will be held on Sydney’s Bondi Beach this weekend to honor the six victims killed in the shopping center attack that shocked Australia.
Five women and a security guard were stabbed to death when Joel Cauchi attacked innocent bystanders in a frenzied attack at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney’s eastern suburbs last Saturday.
They were new mother Ashlee Good, 38, future wife Dawn Singleton, 25, daughter of millionaire businessman John Singleton, mother of two, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, the Chinese national Yixuan Cheng, 27, a security guard. Faraz Tahir, 30 years old.
Thousands of people will gather on Bondi Beach this Sunday from 5.30pm to come together as a community and remember the victims at a candlelight vigil, where a minute’s silence will be observed.
Bondi Junction’s Oxford Street shopping center has become a sea of tributes to the victims of the Westfield stabbing.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own candles and take them home afterwards.
The vigil will take place at Dolphin Court, south of the Bondi Pavilion.
“This vigil will be an opportunity for the community to come together to support and honor the victims and survivors of this horrible tragedy,” said New South Wales Premier Chris Minns.
“I hope they can draw some strength from the fact that there are many people who are standing by them during this time.”
Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos added: “This vigil will be an opportunity to reflect and begin to heal.”
Counselors and mental health first aid services will be available during the vigil.
The schedule is still being finalized, but is expected to include music, speeches and potentially a smoking ceremony.
Mourners are urged to take public transport to and from the event as there will be road closures.
The best place to leave flowers and tributes is the existing shrine in Oxford St Mall, near Westfield Bondi Junction, which has been closed since the tragedy.
A candlelight vigil will be held on Bondi Beach on Sunday night to remember the six victims.
Westfield Bondi Junction to reopen on Thursday for a day of community reflection
It comes as Westfield gave an update on when the shopping center will reopen.
A “quiet” community reflection will take place on Thursday before retailers reopen their doors on Friday.
“We have been very thoughtful in our plans to reopen the center in a manner that is respectful of the victims, their families and all members of the community who are grieving,” said Scentre Group CEO Elliott Rusanow.
“This has been a very difficult time and I want to acknowledge the hard work and efforts, the tireless efforts of our Westfield Bondi team and the wider Scentre Group team in working tirelessly on our reopening plans and overcoming the conditions, which have been very devastating in their minds and in all of our minds.’
The NSW Government will work with Waverley Council, Westfield and the victims’ families on plans for a permanent memorial.
If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos (in green) received support from other mayors from across Sydney outside Westfield Bondi Junction on Wednesday.