Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing: Candlelight vigil for the tragic victims of the mass shopping centre killing
A candlelight vigil will be held at Sydney’s Bondi Beach this weekend to honor the six victims killed in the disastrous shopping center operation that shocked Australia.
Five women and a male 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, bride-to-be Dawn Singleton, 25 – daughter of millionaire businessman John Singleton – mother of two Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Chinese national Yixuan Cheng, 27 and security guard Faraz Tahir, 30.
Thousands will gather at Bondi Beach from 5.30pm this Sunday to unite as a community and remember the victims at a candlelight vigil, where a minute’s silence will be held.
Bondi Junction’s Oxford Street Mall has become a sea of tributes to honor the victims of the Westfield stabbing
Visitors are asked to bring their own candles and take them home afterwards.
The wake will be held at the Dolphin Court, south of Bondi Pavilion.
“This vigil will be an opportunity for the community to come together to support and honor the victims and survivors of this horrific tragedy,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
“I hope they can draw strength from the fact that there are many people supporting them during this time.”
Waverley mayor Paula Masselos added: “This vigil will be an opportunity to reflect and start healing.”
First aid services and mental health professionals will be present during the vigil.
The program is still being finalized, but is expected to include music, speeches and possibly a smoking ceremony.
Mourners are urged to take public transport to and from the event as road closures will be in place.
The best place to leave flowers and tributes is the existing shrine on Oxford St Mall near Westfield Bondi Junction, which has remained closed since the tragedy.
A candlelight vigil will be held on Bondi Beach on Sunday evening to remember the six victims
Westfield Bondi Junction will reopen on Thursday for a community reflection day
It comes as Westfield provided an update on when the mall will reopen.
A ‘quiet’ community reflection will take place on Thursday before retailers reopen for trading on Friday.
“A lot of thought has gone into our plans to reopen the center in a way that is respectful of the victims, their families and everyone in the community who is grieving,” said Elliott Rusanow, CEO of Scentre Group.
‘This has been a very difficult time and I would like to acknowledge the hard work and effort, the tireless efforts of our Westfield Bondi team and the wider Scentre Group team in working tirelessly on our reopening plans and weathering circumstances that have been very devastating in recent years. their minds and in all our minds.”
The NSW Government will work with Waverley Council, Westfield and the families of the victims on plans for a permanent memorial.
If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out Lifeline on 13 11 14, Children’s Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos (in green) was supported by fellow mayors from across Sydney outside Westfield Bondi Junction on Wednesday