Dear Allegra,

Here is some information on the community candlelight vigil, and on how people can make donations to the families affected, or to local mental health services.

Community candlelight vigil this Sunday

Please join me this Sunday at 5:30pm for a Community Candlelight Vigil at Bondi Beach, in Dolphin Court on the south side of the Bondi Pavilion.

During the vigil, we will light candles and hold a minute’s silence to honour the victims and survivors of the Bondi Junction tragedy.

The vigil will be an important moment for our community to comfort each other and reflect.

We ask that you bring a candle with you, and take it home at the end of the vigil.

Mental health support will be available at the vigil, and people are encouraged to travel on public transport.

While we recognise people may wish to bring flowers, we kindly ask that you lay your floral tributes at the official site at Oxford Street Mall, rather than leave them at Bondi Beach.

If you can’t make it, please see below the link for the live stream of the Vigil on Sunday.

Click here for livestream link.

Donations and Fundraising

Many in the community have generously reached out, asking how they can contribute financially to the victims or to the organisations that gave stepped up to support our community.

Please see below advice on how you can make a donation:

Support the victims and their families:

GoFundMe have now published a page with verified fundraisers for families of victims of the Westfield Bondi Junction attack.

You can donate here: Donate to Westfield Bondi fundraisers (gofundme.com)

Lifeline Bondi:

Lifeline Eastern Suburbs – Bondi, located within Westfield Bondi Junction, provides vital support locally and nationally through volunteer telephone support services. They offer confidential assistance via 13 11 14 for phone support or 0477 13 11 14 for text support. They also offer an online chat service at https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/. This service is accessible 24/7, free of charge, and available nationwide.

Donate to Lifeline Bondi here: https://lifelinebondi.raisely.com/

Headspace Bondi Junction:

Headspace Bondi Junction provides early intervention services to young people 12 to 25 years. Their range of services includes mental, physical and sexual health, drug and alcohol information and support as well as vocational and educational assistance along with care coordination by our Youth Access Team. The centre offers these to young people in one youth-friendly location. Their services are free of charge.

Donate to Headspace Bondi Junction here: https://fundraising.headspace.org.au/event/fundraising-for-headspace-bondi-junction

This Way Up:

This Way Up is an online mental health platform from St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, developed by experts and available 24/7. The platform is specifically designed to support navigating life’s challenging times. They offer a range of online treatment programs for those experiencing ongoing difficulties with anxiety, depression, insomnia, and stress. These programs are available 24/7, providing flexible access from anywhere, designed to fit into your life and offer real relief.

Donate to This Way Up here: https://www.supportstvincents.com.au/this-way-up/

The Junction Neighbourhood Centre (JNC):

JNC has provided local services for people and communities in the Eastern Suburbs for 50 years. They operate from community hubs in Bondi Junction and Maroubra, working to address social isolation and create connections in our local communities. They provide services for the whole community, including families with children, older people living in the community and women and families who have experienced domestic and family violence.

In the aftermath of the horrific incident at Westfield Bondi Junction, JNC are providing information and support for community members, linking people to specialist counselling services and providing a safe and quiet space for people to get support. You can find them at 59 Newland Street Bondi Junction Monday-Thursday each week.

Donate to JNC here: https://jnc.org.au/jnc-donations/

Mental health resources.

This is a really tough time for everyone in the community. It is important to look after yourself and support your loved ones.

Here are some numbers to help:

• NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511
• Lifeline on 13 11 14 or chat online here.
• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 or chat online here.
• Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or chat online here.
• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76 
• Headspace on 1800 650 890 
• ReachOut at au.reachout.com 
• QLife, LGBTIQ+ peer support on 1800 184 527 or chat online here, available 3pm-midnight every day.
• GriefLine, National Grief & Loss Support Hub on 1300 845 745, available 8am-8pm every day.

Counselling services and other support is available through the NSW Victims Support Scheme for all the victims and witnesses of Saturday's attack - including those who were at Westfield Bondi Junction at the time.

Full details on how to access the scheme are here. A dedicated phone line for victims and witnesses has also been established - please call 1800 019 123.

More information and resources can be found on my website.

My next steps

The events of the past week have shaken our community and have shown that now more than ever we must support mental health and prevent violence against women.

This will be a key priority for me as I evaluate local resources and Federal policies including working with our Youth Action Committee on supporting youth mental health and supporting the Waverley Mayor's Women's Council. Please keep an eye on my social media for the next steps that we as a community can take.

Kind regards,

Allegra