Heartfelt Farewell for Young Bondi Massacre Victim Matilda as Community Rallies with Support Funds

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The youngest and oldest victims of the Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting have been laid to rest as the community continues grieving after the terror attack.

Scores of friends and family flocked to a funeral home to honour 10-year-old primary school student Matilda, struck down while enjoying the day with her family on Sunday.

As well as her devastated family, mourners included Jewish leader Alex Ryvchin, local Labor MP Matt Thistlethwaite and Opposition leader Sussan Ley, who wiped away tears at the door.

Matilda has been remembered by her school as a “little ray of sunshine” who always brought joy to those around her, and by her aunt as “full of life and happy”.

During a heartfelt service in Bondi on Wednesday, Michael, the father of the late Matilda, urged attendees to hold his daughter’s name in their hearts.

A woman standing outside, holding a newspaper, speaking into microphones.

Valentyna, Matilda’s mother, shared her disbelief with the gathered crowd, expressing, “I never imagined I would lose my daughter here.” The service, imbued with emotion, reflected the deep loss felt by the family and community. The ceremony was reported by AAP’s Flavio Brancaleone.

Michael also reflected on his daughter’s name, saying, “I thought Matilda was the most Australian name that could ever exist,” highlighting the connection they felt to their new home.

The service for Kleytman was held earlier on Thursday morning at the funeral house.

As a tribute to Matilda, many mourners arrived at the funeral with sunflowers in hand and wore stickers featuring bumblebees. These symbols have been distributed in recent days to honor her memory and life.

Government support package

Meanwhile, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has announced a joint federal and state government support package, including $75,000 for the victims and family members of those killed in Sunday’s attack.

He said the package would cover funeral and burial costs, as well as repatriation costs for family members overseas.

A community support hub at North Bondi RSL club, including representatives from the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Service NSW and Lifeline, will also be established.

The package also includes: $2 million for Jewish community organisations to support victims’ families, $1 million for legal aid and services, $1 million for Jewish organisations to provide mental health support, $3.6 million for place-based recovery officers and $1.5 million for additional security at Jewish community locations.

Another $2.8 million will provide coordinators for community engagement and local community support.

Impacted small businesses in Bondi will also be able to access up to $25,000.

“This assistance package is recognition that our community is at its strongest when it pulls together — and that when it does so, terror can never prevail,” Mookhey said.

“We will make every effort to ensure that one of Australia’s best loved landmarks remains a place of joy, celebration and freedom for all.”

Funerals in Sydney and Melbourne

The funerals of two other victims, Tibor Weitzen and Reuven Morrison, will also take place on Thursday in Sydney and Melbourne, respectively.

They are among 15 people killed when 55 people were shot on Sunday night.

Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, are accused of using long-arm guns to fire at a crowd of people at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday night.

He did not appear or apply for bail during a brief court hearing, and the case was adjourned until April.

His father, a licensed gun owner, died at the scene.

Naveed is also charged with 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder and single counts of discharging a firearm in public, causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist symbol and placing an explosive in or near a building with intent to cause harm.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the victims at a ceremony of remembrance held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney’s CBD on Wednesday evening.

Two men in suits are standing with their hands clasped in front of them. There is a man in a white robe standing next to them.

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attend a memorial prayer service at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. Source: AAP / Dan Himbrechts

Speaking on the steps of the famous Sydney landmark, Albanese said: “Our nation is stronger than the cowards who seek to divide us.”

He was joined by multi-faith leaders and NSW Premier Chris Minns to commemorate the victims, with candles lit in their memory.

Attending a memorial at the Chabad of Bondi synagogue alongside Israel’s diaspora affairs minister, Amichai Chikli, on Wednesday evening, former prime minister Scott Morrison said the charges were the first step towards closure.

“Fifty-nine charges is the least, I hope,” he told Australian Associated Press as he entered the synagogue.