Why Community, Compassion, and Collective Care Matter More Than Ever.
On Sunday, 14 December, Sydney experienced an event we never expected to see on our shores, a shooting at Bondi Beach that has shaken our city and our country.
Even if you weren’t there, even if you didn’t personally know someone affected, the impact of a public, violent, and terrifying event reverberates through all of us.
It unsettles our sense of safety, challenges our assumptions about the world, and leaves many feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or heartbreakingly numb.
In times like these, community becomes not just important – but essential.
A City in Shock: What Collective Trauma Looks Like
When a traumatic event happens in a public space, we all know and love, the whole community feels it. Bondi is not just a beach; it’s an icon, a symbol of Australian summer, joy, freedom, and connection.
When violence enters that space, the emotional ripple spreads quickly.
Common reactions include:
A sense of disbelief or surrealness
Heightened anxiety or hypervigilance
Difficulty sleeping or switching off
Anger, sadness, or helplessness
Feeling unsafe in public or crowded places
A deep grief for the loss of innocence in a familiar community space
Every one of these reactions is normal.
Trauma isn’t just what happened. Trauma is what we feel after something happens.
Standing With the Jewish Community – and All Communities Affected
When violence has the undertones of targeted hatred, minority communities feel the
impact even more acutely. Our Jewish community is hurting right now, grieving, afraid, and carrying the weight of generational trauma that events like this can reactivate.
This is a moment for Australia to wrap its arms firmly around them.
What does that look like?
Public and private displays of support—messages, calls, check-ins
Active inclusion, particularly for individuals who may feel unsafe being visible or vocal
Challenging harmful narratives that inflame fear or division
Standing up against antisemitism, even in its subtle forms
Hate isolates. Community heals. We need to meet fear with unity and compassion.
The Importance of Community: Why We Need Each Other More Than Ever
In the wake of traumatic events, people often withdraw. But connection – real connection – is one of the strongest buffers against long-term psychological harm.
Community reminds us:
We are not alone
We are held
Safety can be rebuilt
Hope still exists
Support doesn’t need to be grand. It can be as simple as:
Checking in on friends, neighbours, colleagues
Asking someone how they’re really doing
Sitting with someone in silence
Attending vigils or community gatherings
Offering practical help (meals, childcare, transport)
Small gestures rebuild a sense of belonging and collective strength.
How to Support Yourself, and Others, After a Terror-Related Event
Acknowledge Your Feelings: There is no “right” reaction to trauma. Give yourself space to feel whatever shows up: shock, anger, sadness, fear, exhaustion.
Limit Exposure to Graphic News: Constant looping coverage can retraumatise.
Get updates from reliable sources, then step away.
Lean Into Support: Isolation can intensify distress. Reach out to friends, family,
professionals, or community spaces.
Maintain Routines Where Possible: Structure and predictability help ground the
nervous system.
Engage in Calming Activities: Walks, breathwork, mindfulness, quiet connection
with loved ones—these all help bring the body out of “alert” mode.
Seek Professional Support if Needed: If distress is interfering with sleep, functioning, or day-to-day life, speaking with a psychologist can be incredibly helpful.
What to Say to Someone Who’s Struggling
You don’t need perfect words. You just need presence.
Try:
“I’m here. You’re not alone.”
“What you’re feeling makes complete sense.”
“You don’t need to have it all together right now.”
“It’s okay to take things day by day.”
Listening, really listening, is one of the greatest gifts we can offer.
Rebuilding Hope and Safety Together
Sydney is hurting. Australia is hurting. But we are also a nation that shows up when it counts. We stand shoulder to shoulder. We help strangers. We gather. We light candles. We speak their names. We refuse to let fear unravel our social fabric.
In the days and weeks ahead, what will matter most is how we come together:
Choosing compassion over judgement
Connection over isolation
Acceptance over division
Community over fear
This is a moment to lead with humanity.
To hold space for the Jewish community.
To support those directly and indirectly affected.
To check on the quiet ones.
To remind each other that even in darkness, we do not face it alone.