‘This is our sanctuary’: Scores of Surf lifesavers Assemble to Remember Tragedy Those lost.

Looking out at the waves on Bondi coast, side by side with hundreds of fellow lifesavers, Lockie Cook let himself feel the grief of a local harrowing week in recent history.

“I sense that protective wall is falling,” he said.

Volunteer lifeguards assembled by the score on the weekend to hold two moments of quiet reflection and remember those killed in Sunday’s attack.

Babies, grandparents, neighbours and schoolmates dressed in distinctive lifesaving gear stood together, forming a human chain stretching from the famous shoreline's north end all the way to its southern point.

“The most important aspect to emerge from this tragedy is just how much this community matters to me,” he expressed.

“This beach is our place of worship … It’s just important we come together again and truly recover.”

An Interval of Quiet Contemplation

At that morning, the two minutes’ silence was announced by a figure at the beach’s central lifeguard post, behind which had been laid rows of flowers.

“A short time can be a a lengthy period but I urge you to reflect,” he said.

“Hold hands with the individual next to you, shut your eyes and remember the loved ones grieving so we can grow back stronger for this community.”

Lifesavers gazed at the sand or to the ocean as locals, beachgoers and dignitaries stood by. The only sounds were waves on the shore, a single barking dog and a overhead rescue helicopter, which flew along the coastline as the moment concluded.

Taking Back the Shore

People gathered slowly hugged one another and cheer their colleagues at the other side of the beach as applause rose from the assembled community.

This was just the latest instance of the lifesavers working to strengthen the area this past week, stated one participant, a member of the Jewish community of the north club and a emergency helper on Sunday.

“Right now, I sense the love and support,” expressed the participant, who requested privacy.

Having made his home in Bondi nearly all his life, he participated in the swim on in the days after and has sought to take back the beach as his own.

“It was like asserting a presence, it’s healing,” he said.

The Core Principle of Rescue

Gene Ross, a veteran instructor, spent the period of reflection beside his recently qualified son, thinking about the solidarity his club had shown after Sunday.

“The decision to enact the violence here … invited Australia to come and support the community.”

Hundreds of rescuers laughed and cried together as they returned to their patrol bases and through the park where their colleagues saved lives on Sunday.

Dozens more lingered at the beach, ready to come to the aid of people going back into the ocean.

“We serve the entire community and that’s the ethos of lifesaving,” Ross stated.

“This is our purpose as lifesavers: we head into the crisis.”