Children meet responders; explore emergency vehicles

Children from families impacted by the Chanukah terror attack at Bondi Beach attended a supportive community gathering on Sunday designed to help address their anxiety around emergency services and sirens.

The event, held in the morning at Rodney Reserve in Dover Heights, emerged from discussions between Bondi survivors and the NSW Government’s Bondi Community Response team, led by the Premier’s Department.

Parents had shared that their children were feeling anxious and traumatised when they heard or saw emergency management vehicles and personnel.

“We thought it would be useful for kids to be given the chance to meet the first responders and know that they are there to help them,” said Bondi Community Response deputy coordinator general Hannah Damkar.

The event was kept small and shared directly with affected families through trusted networks, allowing children to take their time and feel comfortable in a safe and controlled environment.