The 15 victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack are being remembered across the nation with a day of mourning.
Led by the Bondi Chabad, the theme for the sombre day is Light Will Win: A Gathering of Unity and Remembrance.
It is the first time Australia has observed a national day of mourning since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said flags will be flown at half-mast on Thursday and national institutions in Canberra and Sydney will be illuminated.
A national memorial service is set for 7 p.m. at the iconic Sydney Opera House and will be available for online viewing.
The Prime Minister has invited Australians to join in the remembrance in their own unique way by placing a candle on their window sill or doorstep. A minute of silence is planned for 7:01 p.m.
Fifteen candles, one for each victim of the anti-Semitic terror attack, will be lit by the families of those slain.
Dignitaries slated to attend alongside the prime minister include Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and NSW Premier Chris Minns.
“This is a significant day of mourning, offering us the chance to collectively honor those who have tragically lost their lives,” he stated.
Additionally, a commemorative display named 15 Pillars of Light will be set up across various cities in Australia.
This event follows a vigil at Bondi Beach a month ago, which saw thousands gathering in an emotional blend of defiance and sorrow, as survivors shared haunting stories of narrowly escaping gunfire.
In Victoria, a multi-faith vigil will be held earlier on Thursday at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Institutions nationwide will be illuminated as a symbol of light on Thursday, including national buildings in Canberra and government buildings in NSW and Victoria.
A commemorative installation, 15 Pillars of Light, will also be erected throughout Australian cities.
Coming together through kindness or compassion
The Jewish community has requested that Australians come together through a mitzvah, an act of kindness or compassion.
This can include giving to others, helping the sick, offering hospitality, providing kindness to animals, or greeting people with warmth and positivity.
It comes a month after a vigil at Bondi Beach attended by thousands of people in a cathartic show of defiance and sadness, as survivors recounted harrowing tales of bullets flying past them.
Rabbi Mendel Kastel, who lost his brother-in-law Rabbi Eli Schlanger, arrived at the scene of the terrorist attack soon after.
He has been heartened by people coming together to support a Jewish community so viciously targeted.
“The one thing that’s common is a sense of community and support, looking after each other and trying to provide as much comfort as possible,” he told AAP.
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