Flags across the country are flying at half-staff on Thursday in remembrance of those killed in the December 14 attack, with a moment of silence scheduled for 7:01 pm Sydney time (08:01 GMT).
Australia is observing a national day of mourning for the victims of last month’s mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where two gunmen opened fire during a Jewish celebration, killing 15 people.
Flags across the country are flying at half-staff on Thursday in remembrance of those killed in the December 14 attack, with a moment of silence scheduled for 7:01 pm Sydney time (08:01 GMT).
Memorial services are being held at the Sydney Opera House and at Bondi’s Chabad House, a Jewish community centre. Most of the victims were Jewish, including a 10-year-old child.
The memorials are being held under the theme “Light will win”, with the government staging light installations in Canberra and other cities. Each installation features pillars of light representing the 15 victims.
The events will also recognise the many people who helped during and after the attack, including first responders and Bondi shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed, who disarmed one of the attackers.
“When we look to Bondi, we don’t just see a beach,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday. “We see it as part of our promise to the world a welcoming embrace, a famous sweep of sand and water where there is room for everyone.”
“This is a place where nothing should break except the waves, but a lot broke that night. It was a tragic attack not only on Jewish Australians, but on the Australian way of life,” he said.
Bondi is one of Australia’s most famous beaches and is also home to a long-established Jewish community.
The Bondi shooting was the deadliest attack of its kind in Australia in 30 years.
The main suspect, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police during the attack. An Indian national, he entered Australia on a visa in 1998. His 24-year-old son, Naveed, an Australian-born citizen, remains in custody and has been charged with terrorism offences and 15 counts of murder.
Police say the pair were inspired by the armed group ISIL (ISIS).
In response to the attack, Australia’s parliament this week passed tougher gun laws, including a gun buyback scheme and stricter gun licence checks.
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