A powerful and tearful moment of unity unfolded at a vigil for the Bondi massacre victims, as a Sydney man's heartfelt musical tribute moved the gathered mourners to join him in song.
A Solo Voice That Became a Choir
On Thursday, at a vigil held at Bondi Pavilion, Matthew Hayes paid his respects to the 15 innocent lives lost during Sunday's horrific attack by singing the iconic 1995 anthem, 'I Am Australian'. What began as a solo performance soon transformed into a choir of voices, as other attendees joined in, singing together around the sea of flowers laid in memory of the victims.
Video captured the poignant scene, with Hayes belting out the lyrics, 'I am, you are, we are Australian,' as the crowd united in a shared expression of grief and national solidarity. Reports from the scene indicated there was not a dry eye among those present.
Finding Strength in Song: A Personal Journey
Speaking to news.com.au, Matthew Hayes admitted he was initially nervous about singing in public. However, he felt determined not to sit helplessly amidst the surrounding despair. He explained his motivation was to help reunite the country and show support, particularly from the Disability Community, for the Bondi Beach and Australian Jewish communities affected by the tragedy.
Hayes revealed a deeply personal connection to the song. As a non-verbal child in kindergarten, doctors told his family he might never hold a conversation. His school principal, however, refused to give up, often handing him the microphone in assemblies. Singing 'I Am Australian' with his schoolmates gave him the strength and confidence to overcome his obstacles.
'The whole song's meaning is that we've come from all the countries of the world... but we have all one thing in common - which is being Australian,' Hayes said, highlighting the song's message of unity.
The Tragic Context of the Tribute
The vigil was held in memory of the victims of Australia's second-worst mass shooting, which occurred on Sunday at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration. The attack claimed the lives of 15 innocent people, including a 10-year-old girl, and left 40 others injured.
The alleged gunmen have been identified as father Sajid Akram, 50, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene. Naveed Akram, recovering from bullet wounds in hospital, has been charged with 59 offences.
The victims include:
- British-born Chabad Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41
- Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, 39
- French national Dan Elkayam, 27
- Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman
- Tibor Weitzen, a beloved husband and father
- Synagogue assistant Reuven Morrison
- Slovak citizen Marika Pogany, 82
- Retired NSW Police detective sergeant Peter Meagher
- Edith Brutman
- Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia, 61
In the face of this profound tragedy, moments of human connection, like the one led by Matthew Hayes, offer a glimmer of solace and a powerful reminder of shared community and resilience.
