‘This is our sanctuary’: Scores of Surf lifesavers Come together to Remember Tragedy Victims.

Gazing quietly upon the ocean on Bondi shoreline, arm in arm with hundreds of colleagues, Lockie Cook allowed himself to experience the anguish of a area's deeply distressing week in recent history.

“I feel like that guard’s just dropping,” he remarked.

Beach rescuers assembled by the score on Saturday morning to observe two minutes’ silence and remember those who died in the previous weekend's violence.

From the very young to the elderly, alongside friends and neighbours dressed in their iconic colours stood together, making a human chain stretching from the famous shoreline's north side all the way to its southern point.

“The key realization we've learned from this is just the extent that this community matters to me,” he shared.

“Here is our spiritual ground … It is crucial we come together again and really heal.”

A Time of Quiet Contemplation

At 8.15am, the moment of quiet was announced by a figure at the beach’s primary observation point, near which were placed bunches of floral memorials.

“120 seconds can be a a lengthy period but please look within,” he urged.

“Join hands with the person next to you, look inward and think about the loved ones grieving so we can rebuild with strength for this community.”

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 flew along the beachfront as the quiet ended.

Reclaiming the Sand

People gathered slowly turned to embrace and applaud their companions at the far end of the beach as acclamation came from the observing onlookers.

This was another example of the lifesavers working to bring together the community this difficult period, stated one man, a member of the Jewish community of the northern surf club and a person who assisted on that fateful day.

“Right now, I sense the care and unity,” said the man, who asked not to be named.

Having lived at Bondi for decades, he took part in the swim on the following day and has sought to take back the beach as his own.

“It was like asserting a presence, it’s cathartic,” he shared.

The Guiding Spirit of Service

Gene Ross, a experienced instructor, spent the period of reflection beside his recently qualified son, reflecting on the solidarity his club had demonstrated every day since Sunday.

“The decision to enact the violence here … prompted Australia to come and support the individuals affected.”

Scores of rescuers experienced a mix of emotions together as they made their way toward their clubs and through the area where their colleagues performed rescues on Sunday.

A significant number lingered at the shore, ready to come to the aid of people returning to the surf.

“We serve the entire community and that’s the ethos of surf livesaving,” Ross affirmed.

“This is our purpose as volunteers: we head into the danger.”