Today, our heart is with the Jewish people of Australia.

The Sydney Conservatorium Students’ Association stands with the Jewish people and the Bondi community through this dark moment. We grieve alongside the families, friends and communities hurt by this tragedy and condemn in the strongest terms the senseless cold-blooded violence committed at Bondi Beach.

Every year, Jewish people come together to light the candles of the menorah for Chanukah, the festival of light. Last night, families and friends gathered at Bondi to celebrate the lighting of the first candle in an event that was meant to symbolise the triumph of good over evil. It is hard to feel that good has triumphed in the midst of this terrible moment. Our heart goes out to the community that has been devastated by this attack, and the family and friends of those who have sadly passed away. We send our best wishes to those who were wounded and are in hospital for a full-recovery.

Many Jewish people have made Australia their home after fleeing from violence and persecution. The events of last night have sadly resurfaced trauma in the Jewish community, and has left many Jewish Australians feeling unsafe. It is important now that we come together at this moment, and dedicate ourselves to building a safe place for the Jewish community; to stand together and uphold the values of care, inclusion, and safety for all. Antisemitism has no place whatsoever in our national values. The Conservatorium Students’ Association is committed to working every-day to make the Con and our student body a safe, accepting and welcoming space for Jewish people. We encourage you to reach out to any members of the Jewish community you may know and check-in on their wellbeing.

We also acknowledge the work of the first responders on site, as well as the brave actions of individuals such as Ahmed al-Ahmad, who tackled one of the two gunmen while risking his own life. It is important that we stay together during this difficult time, and to unite against violence and discrimination, instead of using the deaths of innocent people to justify any further division or hatred against one another.

As this is an evolving and complex situation, it is important to stay calm and avoid evoking greater panic by sharing unconfirmed statistics and stories. It is also important to abstain from sharing graphic content from the scene, to respect the dignity and privacy of those affected.

Supporting students

The Conservatorium is a home to students of diverse backgrounds, and we as a student association strive to provide a safe environment for all students to exist as themselves. We recognise that many students may be feeling distressed, unsafe, angry, or unable to focus on studies and life in general. Your feelings are valid, and you do not have to navigate through this alone. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the resources available:

• Free and confidential counseling and wellbeing support 24/7 with Student Wellbeing, accessed through the health and wellbeing webpage.

• 24-hour support from Lifeline via text, online chat, or by calling 13 11 14

• 24-hour support from Beyond Blue via online chat or by calling 1300 224 636

• Confidential 24/7 support from 13YARN on any mobile or pay phone by calling 13 92 76

• 24-hour support for kids, teens, and young adults via online chat or by calling 1800 551 800

• 24/7 mental health support regarding suicidal thoughts from Suicide Call Back Service by calling 1300 659 467 or via text and online chat

Donating blood supplies

In the wake of this incident, Lifeblood has released an urgent call-out for blood donations, particularly O-type blood, which is the universal donor.

We encourage as many people as possible to donate at a location nearby. You can find a nearby donor centre on the Lifeblood website.