‘This is our sanctuary’: Hundreds of Surf lifesavers Gather to Pay tribute to Shooting Victims.

Gazing quietly toward the surf on Bondi shoreline, side by side with nearly 1,000 other volunteers, Lockie Cook let himself feel the grief of a local most traumatic week in modern times.

“It feels like my defences are coming down,” he stated.

Volunteer lifeguards assembled by the score on the weekend to observe two moments of quiet reflection and remember those killed in Sunday’s attack.

Infants, elders, locals and classmates wearing their iconic colours held each other, forming a line extending from the iconic bay's north side toward its southern point.

“The most important aspect to emerge from this tragedy is just how much this place signifies to me,” he expressed.

“Here is our spiritual ground … It’s just important we unite and truly recover.”

A Moment of Silent Reflection

At that morning, the period of silence was announced by a man at the beach’s main patrol tower, near which were placed clusters of tributes.

“Two minutes can be a very long time but take this time for introspection,” he said.

“Hold hands with the individual next to you, close your eyes and reflect on the families affected so we can grow back stronger for this beach family.”

Volunteers stared at their feet or to the ocean as the community and its leaders watched on. The sole audible things were waves on the shore, a lone dog’s bark and a droning rescue helicopter, which passed along the coastline as the moment concluded.

Healing on the Sand

People gathered slowly hugged one another and applaud their companions at the opposite end of the beach as acclamation rose from the watching crowd.

This was one more demonstration of the lifesavers working to bring together the community this difficult period, noted one man, a member of the Jewish community of the beach's north side and a first responder on that fateful day.

“At this moment, I am filled with the care and unity,” commented the individual, who wished to remain anonymous.

Having called Bondi for most of his years, he joined the community swim on Monday and has focused on healing on the beach as his own.

“The experience was reclaiming a space, it’s healing,” he said.

The Ethos of Lifesaving

Gene Ross, a longtime trainer, spent the period of reflection standing by his just-trained son, reflecting on the solidarity his club had exhibited after Sunday.

“Choosing to do the violence here … led Australia to rally behind the community.”

A great number of volunteers laughed and cried together as they walked back toward their patrol bases and through the area where their teammates performed rescues on Sunday.

Dozens more remained on the beach, prepared to assist people returning to the ocean.

“We serve the entire community and that’s the guiding spirit of lifesaving,” Ross said.

“This is our purpose as lifesavers: we move toward the emergency.”