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Bondi Hero Ahmed Al Ahmed Receives City’s Highest Honour

Photo Credit: City of Canterbury Bankstown

A Bondi Beach hero who stopped a gunman during the nation’s worst terror attack has been recognised with the highest honour the City of Canterbury Bankstown can bestow.

Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, became the first person to receive the key to the City of Canterbury Bankstown at an Australia Day awards ceremony, more than a month after he wrestled a gun away from one of two attackers who targeted a Hanukkah celebration on 14 December.

The Syrian-Australian was shot multiple times during his intervention, which authorities say prevented further loss of life during the attack that killed 15 people and injured more than 40 others.

Taking to the stage at the ceremony, Mr al Ahmed said he still carried a “big hurt” in his body, with two bullets remaining lodged in his arm.

“I didn’t expect to receive it but [it’s] something very nice and thank you for everything,” he said outside the ceremony.

Mayor Bilal El-Hayek described Mr al Ahmed as a “true blue local hero” and said the award was fitting recognition of his courage.

“This is the highest honour a city can give and it is the first time it has been presented by the City of Canterbury Bankstown,” Mayor El-Hayek said.

“Congratulations and thank you Ahmed.”

At a separate Australia Day ceremony, Premier Chris Minns also praised the fruit shop owner’s actions.

“I think what Ahmed’s story shows us, and this is often the case … is that some of our most patriotic Australians are the newly arrived,” Mr Minns said.

“Those who’ve decided to become Australian.”

Following the terror attack at Bondi Beach, Mr al Ahmed spent a fortnight in St George Hospital in Sydney’s south, where he underwent surgery for gunshot wounds.

Video footage from the attack, which has been viewed millions of times globally, shows Mr al Ahmed tackling one of the gunmen and disarming him. According to reports, he was shot by the second attacker whilst intervening (NBC News, CBS News).

A GoFundMe campaign established for Mr al Ahmed raised close to $2 million from around 40,000 donors, including American billionaire hedge fund manager William Ackman (CBS News).

The 14 December attack, which occurred during the first night of Hanukkah, has been declared a terrorist incident by Australian authorities. Police identified the attackers as a father and son who were inspired by Islamic State ideology.

Published 26-January-2026

Bondi Beach Memorial Flowers to Become Permanent Museum Artwork

Volunteers have spent weeks carefully preserving thousands of floral tributes from the Bondi Beach memorial at Bondi Pavilion, ensuring the community’s response to December’s terror attack lives on through a permanent commemorative artwork.

The Sydney Jewish Museum commissioned the preservation work after Waverley removed the temporary memorial, with senior curator Shannon Biederman leading the effort to save as much as possible.

The team had just days before Christmas to arrange trucks, find storage that would accept perishable items and secure flower drying solutions—a logistical challenge made more meaningful by what the tributes represent.

More Than Just Flowers

Beyond the thousands of bouquets, the memorial included hand-painted stones, teddies, cards and deeply personal items like a pair of shoes left by 10-year-old Matilda’s family.

Biederman connects to that loss on a personal level. She had tickets to the December 14 Chanukah by the Sea event and takes her kids every year, but changed plans at the last minute. Her daughter is also 10.

The curator has spent more than 20 years working with Holocaust survivors on their testimonies, learning to compartmentalise when the work becomes overwhelming. Sometimes that’s the only way to keep going.

Transforming Tributes Into Art

On Christmas Eve, volunteers gathered at a rented storage facility to sort through the flowers, hanging them on fencing to help with drying. Rain fell as they worked, a moment Biederman found strangely fitting.

Melbourne artist Nina Sanadze, already working with the museum on another exhibition when the attack happened, now leads the artistic transformation. She’s ironing dried petals, pressing flowers by species and colour, and enclosing some in silicone.

Even the decayed portions won’t go to waste—the team plans to turn them into compost for seating at the museum.

Sanadze says the project won’t result in a single artwork but many different pieces, each reflecting how strongly the flowers convey grief.

The work takes an emotional toll. Sanadze copes by burying herself in the project while drawing strength from her community. For her, art repairs the world by turning decay into messages of love and hope.

A Story of Unity

Biederman found reading the handwritten messages particularly difficult. She had to stop when the words became too upsetting.

She also knew Rabbi Eli Schlanger, one of the 15 victims, and remembers him as the most beautiful person.

The Sydney Jewish Museum remains closed for redevelopment, with exhibitions set to reopen in late 2026. The team continues refining their plans for how the commemorative artwork will take shape within that space.

Biederman sees the preserved tributes as evidence of something positive emerging from tragedy—a unity story told through tokens of love and support when the Jewish community needed it most.

The preservation work for the Bondi Beach memorial flowers continues more than a month after the attack, with grief still fresh for many in the community.

Published 20-Jan-2026

Light Will Win: Bondi Rallies as the Roosters Return Ahead of National Day of Mourning

Photo Credit: Roosters.com.au

Bondi Beach knows how to carry a crowd — bright noise, easy movement, sunlight on the waterline. In the wake of last month’s terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, the suburb has been forced to make room for a different kind of togetherness. Not because Bondi has forgotten what happened, but because the community is determined not to let tragedy be the final word.

The Roosters show up on the sand

That spirit was on show this week when the Sydney Roosters brought their NRL squad, coaches and staff down to the beachfront during the school holidays. The club kept it simple: relaxed activities, time with families, autographs and photos, and merchandise handed out along the promenade as kids turned up in red, white and blue.

The visit was driven by head coach Trent Robinson, who wanted the team back at Bondi after the attack — visible, approachable and connected in a place that matters to so many locals.

Club captain James Tedesco said Bondi Beach sits at the heart of the community, and the club shared the devastation felt when the attack took place.

For a few hours, the scene looked like Bondi being Bondi: players stopping for photos, kids tugging sleeves for a signature, parents watching from a respectful distance. The Roosters also checked in with local lifeguards and leaders from the Jewish community, reaffirming the club’s ongoing support for them and their families.

While Bondi has been finding its footing on the sand, the national response has been taking shape on a bigger canvas.

Australia prepares to pause

On Thursday, 22 January 2026, Australia will observe a National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. The theme chosen by the Chabad community in Bondi is both comforting and resolute: “Light will win — a gathering of unity and remembrance.”

National institutions in Canberra, as well as sites across New South Wales, will be illuminated on Thursday evening as a symbol of light, with institutions around the country encouraged to participate.

A commemorative installation, 15 Pillars of Light, will be displayed in Canberra and across Australia, each pillar serving as a visible marker of mourning, remembrance and national solidarity.

‘Light will win’: the theme of remembrance

At 7:01 p.m. on 22 January, Australians are invited to observe one minute of silence to honour those impacted. The Bondi Beach Attack Memorial Event organised by Chabad of Bondi that evening will be recognised as a National Event; it is invitation only, but will be live streamed on the Chabad of Bondi YouTube channel.

There will be no public holiday, and no formal requirement to suspend events. Instead, the guidance focuses on participation that is personal, practical and respectful.

Australians are encouraged to come together and share a meal with family and friends of all faiths and backgrounds, leave a candle on a doorstep or in a window, and share condolence messages through an online Bondi Beach condolence book.

As a mark of respect, the Australian National Flag will be flown at half-mast on the National Day of Mourning from Australian Government and New South Wales Government buildings and establishments, with other organisations and jurisdictions welcome to participate.

A mitzvah is described as an act of kindness, compassion and moral responsibility. In honour of the 15 people lost, Australians are encouraged to undertake one or more of the “15 suggested mitzvahs for Bondi” — small, everyday actions such as checking in on a neighbour, visiting someone who is unwell, volunteering time, donating to organisations that serve others, or teaching children stories that show them the good in the world.

Bondi’s way forward: joy with remembrance

Bondi’s recovery won’t be measured by a single morning at the beach or one night of illuminated buildings. It will be shaped by the smaller decisions made afterwards — to keep showing up for each other, to keep gathering, and to make space for joy without letting go of remembrance.

In that sense, the Roosters’ visit and the National Day of Mourning are part of the same story: local and immediate on the sand, national and symbolic after dark. Both carry the same message — Bondi is not alone, and light will win.

Published 20-Jan-2026

Bondi Beach Community Backs Inspector Amy Scott After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Photo Credit: Australian of The Year Awards

A fundraising appeal connected to Bondi Beach has drawn widespread support after NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer.

Service Record And Incident History

Inspector Amy Scott has served with the NSW Police Force for 19 years and is based at Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command. She became widely known following her actions during the fatal stabbing attack at Westfield Bondi Junction in April 2024.

On 13 April 2024, Inspector Scott confronted the offender during the mass casualty attack inside the shopping centre. The incident resulted in the deaths of six people. Her actions were later recognised with the Commissioner’s Valour Award, and she was subsequently named a 2025 NSW Australian of the Year nominee.

Health Diagnosis Confirmed

Inspector Scott has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. According to statements from police leadership and NSW Police Legacy, her family and colleagues have been aware of the diagnosis for several months.

She has requested privacy while undergoing treatment. Despite this, she has continued to support colleagues affected by the Bondi Junction incident, including regularly attending the station to provide reassurance and assistance.

Fundraiser And Community Response

An appeal facilitated by NSW Police Legacy was established to help ease the financial burden on Inspector Scott and her family. The response has been substantial.

Within just over 24 hours, the appeal raised more than $350,000. At the time captured from the fundraising page, total donations had reached $432,572, surpassing the original $25,000 goal. More than 7,600 people had contributed to the appeal.

Supporters have described Inspector Scott as compassionate, selfless and dedicated to public service, with messages reflecting strong community regard for both her professional actions and personal strength.

donate now

Bondi Beach Link

Inspector Scott’s diagnosis has been referenced alongside a separate Bondi Beach terrorism event held on 14 December, where officers involved were described as drawing inspiration from her example and leadership during the 2024 attack.

What Happens Next

The fundraising appeal remains active as Inspector Scott continues treatment with the support of her family, colleagues and the wider community. NSW Police Legacy has indicated that community backing will remain important in the months ahead.

Published 19-Jan-2026

Jackman Holds Tight to North Bondi Penthouse After Separation

Photo Credit: Architizer

More than two years since Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness announced their separation, the Hollywood actor has retained ownership of his prized North Bondi penthouse, with property experts now estimating the beachfront residence could fetch around $15 million.

The three-bedroom luxury apartment, which Jackman purchased in 2015 for $5.925 million with assistance from his friend and agent Paul Dainty, occupies the top floor of an exclusive six-unit boutique building on the Ben Buckler headland designed by SJB Architects.

**Hugh Jackman speaking at San Diego Comic-Con International 2024**
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore

According to property industry sources familiar with the North Bondi market, there appears to be no indication the 57-year-old actor intends to part with the 125-square-metre property, despite not being spotted in Sydney since December 2024.

The penthouse has not been available for permanent rental since February 2022, when it was listed at $10,000 per week. Although the property briefly appeared on short-term rental platforms in 2024 at $2,400 per night, those advertisements have since been removed, suggesting Jackman prefers to keep it available for personal use whenever he visits Australia.

Jackman and his new partner, Broadway actress Sutton Foster, 50, recently welcomed the new year on the Costa Rican coast rather than at the Bondi residence, according to media reports. The pair’s relationship became public following Jackman’s divorce from Furness, which was finalised in May last year after the couple spent 27 years together.

Whilst the former couple’s $60 million New York penthouse was placed on the market, Jackman retained the Bondi property as part of their divorce settlement.

The Ben Buckler building has attracted other notable residents in recent years. Australian film producer and Penfolds family heiress Rebel Penfold-Russell purchased a ground-floor three-bedroom apartment in February 2023 for $12 million, according to property records. The same year, PR identity Roxy Jacenko’s mother, Doreen, reportedly acquired another ground-floor unit for $8.6 million in 2022.

Real estate agents estimate that Jackman’s top-floor position, combined with its panoramic ocean views stretching across Bondi Beach, would command a significant premium over the ground-floor sales. Industry sources suggest the property could now be valued between $15 million and $15.5 million.

The penthouse features an open-plan living and dining area, a modern kitchen with high-end appliances, European oak timber floors, and Minerva limestone bathrooms. The property also includes Juliet balconies off the main bedroom, ducted air conditioning, direct lift access, and secure double parking.

Jackman has long maintained a connection to Bondi Beach, where he has frequently been photographed swimming and jogging. The beachside suburb served as his Australian base throughout his Hollywood career, providing a coastal retreat between filming commitments.

Published 16-January-2026

Bondi Beach Victims To Be Honoured On National Day Of Mourning

Photo Credit: BondiPavilion/Facebook

A National Day of Mourning will be observed across Australia to honour those killed in the Bondi Beach attack, with the day focused on remembrance and unity.

Remembering A Summer Night Of Loss

The day of mourning is scheduled for Thursday, 22 January 2026, following the mass attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025. The incident occurred during a Hanukkah celebration and resulted in the deaths of 15 people.

In the weeks after the attack, Bondi Beach became a focal point for public grief. Floral tributes, candles and personal items were placed near the beachfront and outside Bondi Pavilion as community members gathered to remember those who lost their lives.

How The Day Will Be Observed

The National Day of Mourning will be recognised nationally, with flags flown at half-mast at Commonwealth buildings. The day has been framed around themes of unity, reflection and remembrance.

At the time of reporting, no public holiday had been announced. Coverage indicated it was unlikely an additional public holiday would be declared due to the short timeframe between the announcement and the scheduled date.

Further details on any organised observances were expected to be released closer to the day.

Bondi Beach mourning — *Photo Credit: BondiPavilion/Facebook*

Public Response And Questions Raised

Public reaction to the announcement has been mixed. Many responses have expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, while others have sought clarity on how the day will be marked in workplaces and schools.

Questions raised publicly include whether participation is voluntary, why the date was selected, and how individuals are expected to observe the day while continuing daily activities. Some community members have indicated they plan to reflect privately.

National Day Of Mourning — *Photo Credit: Governor-General of Australia/Facebook*

A National Moment Of Reflection

As the date approaches, Bondi Beach remains closely associated with the national conversation around remembrance and loss. The National Day of Mourning on 22 January 2026 is intended to provide space for collective reflection, while allowing individuals and communities to mark the day in their own way.

Published 16-Jan-2026

Prime North Bondi Beachfront Block Sells for Nearly $14 Million

Photo Credit: Raine & Horne Double Bay

A prime beachfront block at 108 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi has been sold for $13.9 million in a transaction that will see three boutique apartments developed on the site.

The 418-square-metre parcel of land, located just 20 metres from the sand and surf, was sold by Sophie Landa, daughter of the late NSW Attorney-General Paul Landa. The sale represents nearly triple the $4.82 million Landa paid for the property in 2015, when it featured a two-bedroom brick cottage previously owned by music producer Stephen Pavlovic.

The property was described at the time of Landa’s purchase as having designer interiors that captured barefoot glamour with an organic palette and connection to its seaside setting. The cottage last sold for $2.12 million in 2005 before Landa’s acquisition.

Landa, who established herself as a prominent PR professional in Sydney during the 1990s with clients including chef Matt Moran and developers Stockland and Multiplex, initially received development approval to replace the cottage with a two-storey mansion featuring a basement. The original dwelling was demolished in 2025.

Ric Serrao, principal of Raine & Horne Double Bay
Photo Credit: Raine & Horne Double Bay

The sale was handled by Ric Serrao, principal of Raine & Horne Double Bay, who is recognised as one of Australia’s leading real estate agents and has been serving Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs market for close to 40 years. Settlement records from December 2025 show the property was purchased by developer SGB Projects, which plans to construct three apartments on the beachfront site.

**The Hon. David Paul LANDA, LL.B (1941 – 1984)**
Photo Credit: Parliament of New South Wales

Paul Landa served as NSW Attorney-General from 1983 until his death in 1984. According to the Australian Dictionary of Biography, he was a reformist politician who established the Land and Environment Court during his time as Minister for Planning and Environment. His widow, arts patron Anne Landa, passed away several years ago. Sophie Landa has continued her mother’s legacy by funding an arts prize in Anne Landa’s honour.

Landa is understood to currently reside elsewhere in Bondi Beach. She previously sold the family’s Woollahra mansion on a 1,410-square-metre block in Wallaroy Road for close to $10 million in 2016 to Morgan Stanley executives Will and Alison McKenzie. According to the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Paul and Anne Landa had purchased that five-bedroom property, which featured a tennis court and swimming pool, in 1978.

Published 15-January-2026

Bondi Beach Vigil Brings Thousands Together for Shloshim

Photo Credit: GovernorGeneralOfAustralia/Facebook

A large crowd gathered at Bondi Beach for a vigil at Bondi Pavilion, coming together to mark 30 days since the Bondi attack and remember those who lost their lives.

Crowd Forms at Bondi Pavilion

More than 2,000 people assembled at the pavilion forecourt on Sunday evening, with attendees arriving from across the Bondi area. The turnout reflected the continuing impact of the attack on both the Jewish community and local residents.

Police were stationed around the site, including mounted officers, as the crowd gathered quietly along the beachfront.

Bondi memorial — *Photo Credit: GovernorGeneralOfAustralia/Facebook*

Thirty Days of Mourning

The service marked Shloshim, the conclusion of the Jewish 30-day mourning period. Over the past month, people have returned repeatedly to the pavilion forecourt to pause, reflect and leave tributes.

Since the December 14 attack, Bondi Pavilion has remained a place where grief has been publicly shared through flowers, notes and stones.

Bondi Beach vigil — *Photo Credit: GovernorGeneralOfAustralia/Facebook*

Service Focused on Reflection

The vigil featured prayers, spoken reflections, music and periods of silence. Victims and their families were acknowledged throughout the ceremony, with attendees standing closely together during key moments.

Rabbi Yossi Friedman guided the service, continuing his role in leading remembrance activities during the mourning period.

Shloshim vigil — *Photo Credit: GovernorGeneralOfAustralia/Facebook*

Tribute Through Song

Music formed a central part of the evening, including a rendition of Waltzing Matilda in memory of the youngest victim, Matilda Bee, aged 10.

Songs in Hebrew and English followed, with members of the crowd joining in. Mobile phone lights were raised at points during the service as a gesture of unity.

After the Vigil

The Shloshim ceremony formally concluded the initial mourning period. While the service has ended, Bondi Beach continues to serve as a place of reflection for those affected by the attack, with remembrance expected to continue beyond the vigil.

Published 14-Jan-2026

Bondi Beach Tragedy Remembered Through Bee-Painted Toy Box

Photo Credit: ProductiveTangerine2935/Facebook

A beach toy box decorated with hand-painted bees has been installed following the Bondi Beach tragedy, marking a community-led tribute connected to the loss of a local schoolgirl.

A Symbol Linked To Bondi Beach

In the aftermath of the Bondi Beach massacre, bees emerged as a shared symbol of remembrance for Matilda, a 10-year-old girl whose death prompted widespread mourning. Bee-themed items appeared at Bondi and in surrounding areas as residents sought simple ways to acknowledge the loss.

Matilda remembrance — *Photo Credit: ProductiveTangerine2935/Facebook*

A Tribute At La Perouse Beach

A Randwick local, who chose not to be named, built a reusable beach toy box and placed it at La Perouse Beach, near the school Matilda attended. The box was painted with bees by the builder’s grandsons, linking the tribute to both family involvement and Matilda’s nickname.

The builder had planned to create a beach toy library before the tragedy, later choosing the bee design after observing similar tributes appear in the Bondi area.

community tribute — *Photo Credit: ProductiveTangerine2935/Facebook*

From Storm Clean-Up To Shared Resource

The beach toy box initiative began after dozens of toys were collected from the sand following a summer storm, when items were left behind and at risk of being washed into the sea. Rather than discarding them, the toys were redistributed through shared beach boxes.

Toy boxes are now located at La Perouse, Coogee and Malabar, with further installations planned.

Bondi Beach tribute — *Photo Credit: ProductiveTangerine2935/Facebook*

Community Reaction

The tribute drew strong support within local online groups, with commenters describing the gesture as thoughtful and meaningful. Responses highlighted appreciation for the environmental focus, the involvement of children, and the way the tribute honoured Matilda without formal signage.

A Continuing Gesture

The bee-painted toy box remains at La Perouse Beach as both a practical community resource and a quiet memorial, reflecting how the Bondi Beach tragedy continues to be acknowledged through small, collective actions.

Published 13-Jan-2026

Bondi Beach Playground Closure Marks Ongoing Community Healing

Bondi Beach Playground, a familiar place for families beside Sydney’s most famous stretch of sand, has fallen silent after being struck by gunfire during a deadly attack nearby, leaving parents and children locked out. At the same time, the community comes to terms with the violence that unfolded in full view of the play area.

The playground sits next to Bondi Park and within sight of the footbridge where a mass shooting took place during a Hanukkah gathering on 14 December, leaving 15 people dead and many others injured.

Playground Closed in the Heart of Summer

At a time when Bondi Beach is usually filled with holiday crowds, surfers and families, the fenced-off Bondi Beach Playground has stood empty throughout the school holidays. Multiple bullet holes were found in the playground fence following the attack, prompting its immediate closure.

Waverley Council stated the playground was shut temporarily to allow urgent repairs and cleaning to be carried out. Signages placed at the site said the closure was also out of respect for the local community, many of whom were directly affected by the violence.

Repairs to the damaged fencing began within days, though further work has continued behind closed gates.

A Site of Grief and Reflection

Scenes of panic as shots rang out near Bondi Park, with families fleeing the area and shielding children. The playground, located just metres from where people ran for safety, became an unintended witness to the chaos.

In the days that followed, sections of the playground fence were used as a quiet remembrance. Flowers and handwritten tributes were left inside the closed play area, reflecting the deep shock felt across the suburb.

Community leaders and residents told local media that reopening the playground too quickly would have felt jarring for families still processing the events.

Security and the Wider Impact

The shooting sent shockwaves well beyond Bondi. Police increased security at major public events across Sydney, including sporting matches, in the weeks after the attack. Authorities described the incident as targeted violence linked to a religious gathering, though they urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation.

While Bondi Beach itself has remained open, with visitors returning to the shoreline, the closure of Bondi Beach Playground has served as a visible reminder of what happened. The empty swings and slides had changed the area’s mood, even as summer continued around it.

Waverley Council has not provided a firm date for the reopening of Bondi Beach Playground.

Published 7-Jan-2026