‘This is our church’: Hundreds of Surf lifesavers Gather to Pay tribute to Attack Victims.
Looking out toward the ocean on Bondi shoreline, arm in arm with close to a thousand other volunteers, Lockie Cook let himself feel the grief of a community’s most traumatic week in modern times.
“I feel like that guard’s just dropping,” he remarked.
Volunteer lifeguards gathered in their hundreds on Saturday morning to observe two minutes of silence and remember those who died in the tragic shooting.
From the very young to the elderly, alongside friends and neighbours dressed in red-and-yellow uniforms held each other, making a human chain stretching from the famous shoreline's northern edge all the way to its south end.
“The most important aspect to emerge from this tragedy is just the depth to which this community matters to me,” he said.
“Here is our spiritual ground … It is crucial we unite and really heal.”
A Time of Quiet Contemplation
At the appointed hour, the period of silence was initiated by a figure at the beach’s central lifeguard post, behind which lie clusters of floral memorials.
“A short time can be a an eternity but take this time for introspection,” he urged.
“Join hands with the person next to you, shut your eyes and remember the those who are suffering so we can rebuild with strength for this locality.”
Lifesavers stared at their feet or to the ocean as the community and its leaders observed. The only sounds were waves on the shore, a single barking dog and a droning rescue helicopter, which flew along the beachfront as the moment concluded.
Healing on the Sand
People gathered slowly hugged one another and clap for their fellow lifesavers at the other side of the beach as acclamation rose from the assembled community.
This was another example of the lifesavers working to strengthen the beachgoers this week, noted one man, a member of the Jewish community of the beach's north side and a person who assisted on Sunday.
“Today I just feel the care and unity,” commented the man, who wished to remain anonymous.
Having made his home in Bondi for most of his years, he participated in the memorial paddle on the following day and has sought to take back the beach as his own.
“It was like taking ownership back, it’s cathartic,” he shared.
The Guiding Spirit of Lifesaving
Gene Ross, a experienced instructor, spent the moments’ silence standing by his newly certified son, reflecting on the togetherness his club had shown in the days following Sunday.
“Choosing to do the tragedy here … invited Australia to come and support the community.”
Scores of lifesavers experienced a mix of emotions together as they returned in the direction of their patrol bases and through the area where their fellow members helped the injured on Sunday.
Dozens more lingered at the water's edge, on duty to help people going back into the surf.
“We’re here for everybody and that’s the guiding spirit of beach rescue,” Ross said.
“It is our calling as rescuers: we head into the crisis.”