Key events
15 candles were laid out on stage for each of the 15 people who were killed in the attack.
The families of each of the victims were invited on stage to light to candle representing their loved one.
Four sons whose fathers were killed during the terror attack are on stage sharing a prayer in unison in Hebrew.
The four sons included Nossen Schlanger, the son of Rabbi Eli Schlanger; Yaakov Tetleroyd, the son of Boris Tetleroyd; Shlomo Levitan, the son of Reb Yaakov Levitan; and Tzvi Kleytman, the son of Alex Kleytman.
Rabbi Nochum Shapirohas gave the Tehillim prayer a short time ago.
Shua Solomon, president of the Rabbinical Council of NSW, also read a prayer. He said:
Had it not been for the Lord who was with us when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us raw when their anger was kindled against us. Then the waters would have washed us away, illness would have passed over our soul and the wicked waters would have passed over our soul.
Governor general Sam Mostyn is now speaking. She is reading Psalm 23 on behalf of King Charles, who she said chose the reading for the event:
My cup is filled to overflowing. May goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life. And may I live in the house of the Lord forevermore. Amen.
Rabbi Pinchus Feldman is now giving the opening prayer.
He also gave the acknowledgement of country.
Bless all Australians, may we recognise the dignity in every human being who was created.
Protect our first responders, medical professionals and defense personnel who secure our welbeing.
In deep mourning, yet with a steadfast spirit, we pray for the triumph of light over darkness.
Markson:
Our children deserve better. Matilda deserved better. They all did.
We ask tonight, as we return to the Opera House, that we live up to the promise this country has made to each generation, the promise of a life of freedom and safety for all Australians.
A minute’s silence has now ended.
Sky News host Sharri Markson, who is hosting the event tonight, has continued her introduction to the event.
She says the two police officers who were wounded, Jack Hibbert and Scott Dyson, would be making their first public appearance this evening.
Guests at Sydney Opera House memorial service observe a minute’s silence
Sky News host Sharri Markson is hosting the event tonight. She has started speaking:
As we remember those whose lives were taken too soon, just one month ago, murdered in a monstrous act, tonight you will hear from the family members of the victims. From the grieving parents of beautiful Matilda, to the son of Boris and Sofia Gurman – heroes who ran towards the danger.
The crowd is now on their feet for a minute’s silence.
Caitlin Cassidy
Time nears for a minute’s silence
The Sydney Opera House is almost full now as people take their seats to be ready for a minute’s silence at 7.01pm.
There are many politicians in the crowd tonight, including the former prime minister, John Howard, who is wearing a kippah; the member for Wentworth, which includes Bondi, Allegra Spender; and the member for Bradfield, independent Nicolette Boele.
The opposition leader of New South Wales, Kelly Sloane, has also been mingling in the crowd alongside federal opposition leader, Sussan Ley, who will be speaking this evening.
Caitlin Cassidy
John Howard and Allegra Spender among guests at Bondi attack memorial service at Sydney Opera House
Guests are beginning to filter into the Sydney Opera House ahead of the national memorial in honour of the 15 victims of the Bondi terror attack.
Around 1,500 people are expected to pack into the Opera House for the service, including politicians and government representatives, Jewish community leaders and members, families of the victims and first responders.
Among those to have taken a seat inside are former attorney general Philip Ruddock, mayor of Waverley council, Will Nemesh, Wentworth independent MP Allegra Spender, Liberal frontbencher David Sharma and former prime minister John Howard.
Outside the Opera House, orthodox Jews are circling with tefillin – small black leather cubes with biblical parchment scrolls that are wrapped on the arm and head of men during prayers – offering mourners the chance to don them.
Upon entering the building, people are being handed shabbat candles and a program with a cover reading “Light will win”.
Some more photos from across the country:
Four shark attacks in New South Wales in 48 hours reinforces importance of donating blood
Sharky Baxter, founder of Marine Life Rangers, assisted lifeguards at the scene of a shark attack in Manly on Monday afternoon, where a 27-year-old surfer was left in a critical condition.
He said:
I got emotional towards the end of the rescue, when the helicopter landed and the paramedics gave him lots of blood. Another Lifeblood box was sprinted down the beach by police officers to support CPR efforts.
Baxter said he donates blood every two weeks and “to see how it literally saved someone’s life before my eyes was incredible.”
A spokesperson for Lifeblood Australia said it can take up to 100 blood donations to save the life of someone in a trauma or emergency situation, “including shark attacks.”
Blood has a “short shelf life” of five days after testing, “so it is important we receive regular donations,” they said.
The surge in incidents comes amid increased shark activity in New South Wales harbours and estuaries.
National day of mourning – in pictures
Australians performed good deeds, said prayers, and held each other close on Thursday, as they remembered the 15 victims of the mass shooting at the Hanukah event in Bondi on 14 December.
We have some pics from across the country here:
Caitlin Cassidy
Surf lifesavers arrive at memorial
The Surf Lifesaving NSW CEO, Steven Pearce, has just arrived at the Sydney Opera house in iconic yellow and red gear alongside about 10 of his colleagues, also in their lifeguard uniforms.
Bondi lifeguards were among the first responders during the Bondi terror attack, helping to assist the wounded, provide shelter and ferry children out of danger.
Caitlin Cassidy
Attenders start to arrive at Opera House
Members of the Jewish community are beginning to filter into the Sydney Opera House forecourt ahead of tonight’s national memorial service.
Dozens are lining up outside the entrance to the venue, hugging friends and family as they wait to enter.
The forecourt has been closed off to the public and police officers are lined at all entrances and exits to the site, many carrying large weapons. On top of the Sydney Opera House, police snipers stand with long-arm guns, showing how tight security is for the event.
In a strange juxtaposition, from Circular Quay station to the Opera House steps, workers continue to set up for Australia Day events on Monday, with the occasional sound testing going ahead.
‘We don’t fight darkness by shouting’, senior rabbi says
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman:
Our hearts are broken, but our spirit is unbroken.
The Jewish response to violence and to tragedy is not to pull away from society, but to contribute more to it, to heal it. And that is why we’re here today to launch a national call to action. Fifteen mitzvahs for 15 souls.
We’re asking every Australian to take one tangible deed of goodness and make it a regular part of your day, of your week …
We don’t fight darkness by shouting. We fight darkness by turning on the lights. And judging from the incredible support from across this nation, one thing is clear to me: that light will win.
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman speaks outside Sydney Opera House
Senior rabbi Yehoram Ulman is speaking outside the Sydney Opera House. He referred to the controversial 2023 pro-Palestine protest at the Opera House:
He said:
In this very place hatred was spewed, violence celebrated. The Jewish community was told to stay away. We were told that this place is not safe for us. It was indeed a moment of darkness for Australia. But today we have returned. We are back not in fear, not in hatred, but with our heads high and with a clear message.
We are reclaiming this Australian icon that again it should become a place of peace, unity and moral clarity for all peoples.
Strong police presence at Sydney Opera House ahead of Bondi memorial service
Caitlin Cassidy
There is a strong police presence at the Sydney Opera House and the forecourt has been largely blocked off to the public ahead of tonight’s memorial service to honour the victims of the Bondi terror attack.
The national memorial service, organised by Chabad of Bondi, will begin at 7pm under the theme “Light Will Win – A Gathering of Unity and Remembrance”.
In a few minutes’ time, family representatives of the victims killed in the alleged antisemitic terrorist attack will address the media, alongside senior rabbi Yehoram Ulman.
The prime minister, opposition leader, NSW premier and governor general will speak at the official event.
Australian dollar reaches 15-month high
Australia’s share market has snapped a three-session losing streak thanks to an uptick in global risk sentiment, but hotter-than-expected jobs figures have increased the likelihood of an interest rate hike.
The S&P/ASX200 rose 65.8 points on Thursday, up 0.75%, to 8,848.7, as the broader All Ordinaries gained 63.9 points, or 0.7%, to 9,172.5.
The top-200 initially surged almost 1% as investors celebrated a cooling of US-Europe relations, before easing slightly when surprise December employment jump narrowed odds the Reserve Bank will lift the cash rate in February.
In a reversal of recent trends, goldminers sold off sharply as safe-haven buyers became profit takers, and the recently red-hot raw materials sector turned negative after supporting the broader market for most of the week.
The Australian dollar spiked to 15-month highs on the back of the jobs report and is buying 68.05 US cents, up from 67.36 US cents on Wednesday at 5pm.
– AAP
