Hundreds of surf lifesavers have gathered on Bondi Beach in a poignant tribute to the victims of the deadly attack at a Hanukkah celebration one week ago.
A Solemn Tribute on the Shore
On an overcast morning, the iconic Sydney beach fell silent as hundreds of Bondi lifeguards lined up, looking out to sea to remember those killed. The ceremony included a two-minute silence and a fly-past by a rescue helicopter, forming a collective farewell from the close-knit lifesaving community.
The tribute honoured the dead and recognised the critical role played by surf lifesavers in the immediate aftermath of the violence. Many were nearby, attending a Christmas party at their club, when the attack unfolded. They rushed to the scene carrying first aid kits, some even running barefoot to provide urgent assistance.
The Trauma of the First Responders
Phil Suriano, Vice President of the North Bondi Surf Club, spoke of the profound impact on his members. "Our members were first responders, and what they're going through and what they've seen, few people have ever seen," he said.
One of those first on the scene was a 20-year-old surf lifesaver known as JJ. She was swimming near the rocks with friends when the attack began. "I heard popping sounds going off. At first, I thought it was firecrackers," she recounted. "It took a few rounds for me to realise that's not firecrackers." Acting quickly, she helped move people off the rocks and into shelter at houses on the northern end of the beach.
A Witness's Harrowing Livestream and Attempt to Save Lives
A few blocks away, Grigoriy Raunshteyn, who was at the Hanukkah celebration, is still trying to process the traumatic events. He heard the gunfire start and, realising what was happening, began a Facebook livestream to bring global awareness to the attack. "I was lying down as instructed and trying to figure out where the shooters were. For some reason, I felt the shots coming from six or five different locations," he said.
When it was safe, Mr Raunshteyn used skills from a recently completed first aid course to try and help the wounded. He attempted to assist British-born rabbi Eli Schlenger, who tragically did not survive. "We were waiting for the paramedics. When they came, they quickly assessed him and said something like, 'move to the next person'," he recalled. "I thought 'I'll give him one rescue breath', and I did."
Like the lifeguards who served that night, Raunshteyn is slowly coming to terms with the horror, expressing disbelief that such an event could happen in Sydney. The community's dual role as both rescuers and mourners underscores the deep scars left by the Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack.
