Tributes to the victims of the Bondi Beach massacre were paid at the Australian Open on Thursday as Australians fell silent on a National Day of Mourning for the 15 people who were killed by gunmen who opened fire on a Jewish festival.
A minute’s silence was observed around the country at 7:01pm AEST (8:01am GMT) for those who had died in the mass shooting on December 14, Australia’s deadliest attack in three decades.
Prior to this evening’s night matches, activities were stopped at Melbourne Park, with players, patrons and staff pausing to pay tribute to those who had lost their lives.
A Tennis Australia media release said: ‘The theme of the day of mourning is Light Will Win. A Gathering of Unity and Remembrance and honour the 15 lives lost.
‘Prior to the night match in Rod Laver Arena there will be a special tribute at 7.01pm reflecting the ‘Light will win’ theme.’
Before Jannik Sinner’s evening match against James Duckworth commenced, the roof at Rod Laver Arena was closed and the lights inside the 15,000-capacity stadium were dimmed as Channel 9’s James Bracey stepped onto the court to lead the tribute.
Tributes to the victims of the Bondi Beach massacre were paid at the Australian Open on Thursday as Australians fell silent on a National Day of Mourning
Fifteen rays of light were shone on the court at Rod Laver Arena in tribute to those who had lost their lives during the Bondi attack on December 14
‘On Sunday, December 14, Australia was shocked and saddened by the tragic events at Bondi Beach,’ Bracey said.
‘Today, Australia comes together for a National Day of Mourning to remember the 15 lives lost and those impacted forever.
‘We now pause for a minute’s silence.’
Two ball kids subsequently walked onto the court as a hush descended on the crowd.
They carried with them a bouquet of flowers and placed the arrangement on the floor above the ‘Melbourne’ sign printed on the court.
In a touching tribute, stadium organisers shone 15 circular rays of light onto the court – one for each of the 15 people who tragically died following the Bondi attack.
The big screens at Rod Laver Arena displayed a message: ‘Light will win. At the Australian Open, we will be conducting a number of gestures to mark the National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Bondi Terrorist attack, and highlight our solidarity, unity and respect. Light will win.’
Flags around the tennis precinct also flew at half-mast.
Ball kids laid a bouquet of flowers on the court, before a minute’s silence was held
The big screens at Rod Laver Arena displayed a message: ‘Light will win. At the Australian Open, we will be conducting a number of gestures to mark the National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Bondi Terrorist attack, and highlight our solidarity, unity and respect. Light will win’
The roof at Rod Laver Arena had been closed for the ceremony, with Channel 9’s James Bracey leading the tributes
Not far from the tennis precinct, a commemorative light display, titled 15 Pillars of Light, was installed at Flinders Street Station.
It is one of multiple installations that have been set up at locations around the country in tribute to the victims of the attack.
Survivors, families and emergency responders joined with political and community leaders in an evening of mourning at Sydney Opera House, with the theme ‘Light Will Win’.
Mourners also gathered outside the Bondi Pavilion on Thursday to pay their respects.
Sajid Akram and his son Naveed allegedly shot into crowds at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on the famous Sydney beach, inspired by Islamic State ideology.
‘When we look to Bondi, we don’t just see a beach,’ Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, prior to the ceremony.
‘We see it as part of our promise to the world. It’s a welcoming embrace, a famous crescent of sand and water where there’s room for everyone.
Flags flew at half mast at Melbourne Park on Thursday throughout the National Day of Mourning
Not far from the tennis precinct, a commemorative light display, titled 15 Pillars of Light, was installed at Flinders Street Station
During a memorial ceremony at The Sydney Opera House, Prime Minister Albanese paid tribute to the victims, and said: ‘Love is the light that brightens our days and lifts our hearts, yet in grief we feel its weight’
Many also gathered outside Bondi Pavilion on Thursday to pay their respects
‘This is a place where nothing should break except for the waves. But a lot broke that night.’
Among the victims were an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, a couple who confronted one of the gunmen, and a 10-year-old girl, Matilda, described at her funeral as a ‘ray of sunshine’.
Despite the dangers of that day, first responders raced to treat the wounded; strangers sheltered each other from gunfire and shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed famously wrested a gun from one of the attackers.
Mr Al Ahmed was seen arriving at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday evening for the ceremony.
‘They’re the heroes, aren’t they? The people that stepped in and put themselves in danger,’ said school teacher David Barrett at Bondi Beach.
‘It’s a shame that people had to do that. But I suppose that just shows the Australian spirit that people are always willing to step in and help out.’
During the remembrance ceremony, Prime Minister Albanese said: ‘Love is the light that brightens our days and lifts our hearts, yet in grief we feel its weight.
‘And for that weight to be felt like this, by a community that has carried such a burden of suffering across generations, is a cruelty beyond measure.’
‘Those who attacked you did not count on your spirit. In the weeks since the world was upended, you have not retreated.
‘You have not hidden away in fear. Instead, you have shown profound strength. You inspired a movement that has swept right across the country.’
