The mother of a Sydney woman who was killed at Westfield Bondi Junction says she “wants Australia to listen” and remember her “glorious” and “hardworking” daughter.
Hundreds gathered to honour Jade Young at a memorial service in Sydney’s Botanic Gardens on Tuesday.
Mourners were asked to wear colour in memory of the “dearly loved and irreplaceable” mother-of-two.
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The 47-year-old architect was among six victims in the mass killing at Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13.
At the time of the attack, Jade was shopping for a birthday present for a child’s party the next day, her mother Elizabeth said, describing it as perfectly “ordinary”.
“I would like you to listen, I want Australia to listen,” she explained at the memorial service.
“Jade Young was attacked and killed outright in front of her daughter.”
In her heart-wrenching tribute, Elizabeth said they will dedicate the remainder of their lives to their “grandchildren and magnificent son-in-law”.
“Never again do I want to read the words tragic or tragedy associated with the perpetrator of the murder of my daughter,” she said
“He came prepared, he had intention. He was a killer … making a shopping centre the most dangerous place on earth for Jade.
“I want Jade’s girls to grow up believing there is security, goodness and love in the world.
“I want politicians both federal and state to address the gaps in mental health care to make it a safer for our girls and all Australians.”
Victims mourned
A new mother, the daughter of a multimillionaire entrepreneur, and an artist were among those killed when 40-year-old Joel Cauchi went on a stabbing rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13.
Five of the victims were women — Ashlee Good, 38; Dawn Singleton, 25; Jade Young, 47; student Yixuan Cheng, 27; and artist Pikria Darchia, 55.
Security guard Faraz Tahir, 30, was also murdered in the attack.
At least 12 others, including Good’s nine-month-old baby girl, were hospitalised with serious injuries. Four of them remain in hospital.
Sydney’s surfing community came together to honour those killed in the massacre in a collective “moment of reflection” as the city continues to grieve one of its darkest days.
More than 100 board riders gathered before dawn on Tuesday to take part in a paddle out to remember the six victims of the stabbing attack.
The surfers, many of whom paddled from Bronte to join the effort, formed a circle off the coast of Bondi, some joining hands as they held a minute of silence.
Members from 12 surf clubs took part, with many sporting their brightly coloured rashies as they came together in reflection.
“Bondi is a National Surfing Reserve, the ocean is our home, playground, competition zone and a place of solitude,” Bondi Surf Club said.
“We all frequent our shores for multiple reasons on our own, for shared experiences with our families and friends, our clubs and for community events.
“Our community from Bondi to Bronte, along with Waverley Council Lifeguards are joining together to support each other in this paddle out for the victims of the Bondi Junction attack.”
Young’s family thanked those who donated more than $235,000 to a fundraiser dedicated to helping her husband and two daughters deal with their grief.
“Ensuring the financial security of the girls as they face a future without their mother is the family’s priority and they’ve been overwhelmed by people’s generosity,” Adam McLaughlin said.
– With AAP