Name: Sydney and Melbourne communities hold vigils for Bondi terror attack
Uploaded: 2025-12-21T06:19:19.638Z
Duration: 2 min 33 s
Description: Memorial ceremonies across the country are being held to commemorate the victims of the Bondi terrorist attack. Melbourne’s Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann says that even in their grief, the community remains united and strong.

Memorial ceremonies across the country are being held to commemorate the victims of the Bondi terrorist attack. Melbourne’s Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann says that even in their grief, the community remains united and strong.

Bondi

Communities in Bondi and Melbourne are holding vigils to mark one week since a tragic shooting incident that claimed 15 lives. The main memorial in Bondi features a minute's silence, speeches from dignitaries and survivors, and a performance by a young victim, coinciding with the last day of Hanukkah.

In Melbourne, multiple gatherings are taking place, including at Federation Square, with attendance from local leaders and members of the Jewish community. Australians nationwide are encouraged to light candles and observe a minute's silence at 6.47pm AEDT as a collective act of remembrance.

Sydney and Melbourne communities hold vigils for Bondi terror attack

There will be a minute's silence at 6.47pm, exactly one week on since that tragic shooting attack last Sunday. There will be a number of speeches from dignitaries, survivors and family members of those lost, including a performance of waltzing Matilda from the young victim Matilda. This, of course, is a significant night for the Jewish community. It's the last day of Hanukkah. The National Day of Reflection will also see buildings lit up yellow, flags flown at half mast, as well as people at home being encouraged to light a candle in honour of the lives lost. This is one of many vigils across the country, a time to reflect, unite and remember those killed last Sunday. The vigil here, Taylor, will get underway at 6.45pm. Thanks Zoe. Rebecca Powell is in Melbourne for us tonight, where multiple vigils are also being held in the city. Bec, people have already started gathering. Taylor, things are just starting to get underway behind me here at Federation Square. They were expecting up to a thousand people, however the rain here in Melbourne might change that a little bit, but among them we are expecting the Premier later, as well as the Lord Mayor. Now there's multiple events happening across Melbourne tonight, including one in St Kilda and East Melbourne, where candles are being lit in memory, as well as other vigils. Many in the community knew people who have been directly impacted by this tragedy. I spoke just moments ago to Rabbi Gabby Coltman, who has said that fear has really now made way for defiance. Downsing is telling those terrorists, those real pieces of filth, that they did not win. The Jewish people are united, we're stronger together, and even in our grief, we will move on together. Now later tonight, there will be music, there will be dancing, and we will see the lighting of the menorah at approximately 6.47pm, and the community says the outpouring of support from across the country means everything tonight, Taylor. Thanks Rebecca. And a reminder, tonight all Australians around the country are encouraged to light a candle as a quiet act of remembrance for those 15 lives lost, and to observe a minute's silence at 6.47 Australian Eastern Daylight Time, marking exactly one week since the attack at Bondi.

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