Strewn across the sand were boogie boards, children’s toys, and towels—remnants of a carefree Sunday afternoon at Sydney’s renowned beach.

Beachgoers had been soaking up the warm sun, but their tranquility shattered when gunfire erupted, sending waves of panic through the crowd.

In the ensuing chaos, personal belongings were abandoned where they fell.

Amid the turmoil, lifeguards and volunteers who had rushed to aid the injured and dying, turned their attention to these deserted items. They meticulously paired scattered shoes and arranged personal effects in a long line, ready for their owners to reclaim.

Strangers, united by shared grief, embraced as they gathered at an impromptu memorial, now a growing sea of flowers honoring the 15 lives lost.

Heartfelt notes and messages left behind by those mourning strangers reflected a community’s deep sorrow.

The teddy bears for thechildren gunned down while playing.

The silence of grief and sadness broken by prayer, or a single harmonica playing the tune of Amazing Grace.

The fact these terrorists are a father and son who poured their hatred onto a family gathering of light and joy for the start of Hanukkah.

And that the dead and injured include those who survived the horrors of the Holocaust, enduring so much, only to have their lives cut short at a supposed place of safety.

The surfboards used to transport the wounded to ambulances.

The surf lifesavers now needing to replenish emergency kits depleted of all medical supplies normally treating bluebottle stings and cuts and bruises – not bullet holes.

The grim acceptance that members of the Jewish community must practice their faith witharmed security guards posted outside temples and synagogues.

That Jewish children must go to schools with barricades and CCTV to ward off constant threats.

The enormous gratitude for the everyday people who risked and lost their lives trying to wrestle the rifles from these gunmen.

The countless lives saved from these selfless acts.

The queuing for hours by those coming forward to donate blood in record numbers, after the Lifeblood booking website was “crashed by care” from people desperate to do something to help.

We are all shocked and saddened by this evil act of terror, but I hope that the meaning of the Hanukkah Festival itself will prevail – and the light will overcome the darkness.

If you have been impacted by the terror attack in Bondi there is support available.

To contact Lifeline Australia, call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.

For people under 25 years old, you can contact Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800.

Both of these are available on a 24/7 basis.