THIS week I had the moving experience of having to be in Sydney on Wednesday and Thursday where my business took me to the area of Martin Place and Macquarie Street.
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To see and participate in the outpouring of emotion that has taken place there since the horrific events of Monday and Tuesday was to be a part of something special.
The atmosphere was sombre and reflective as people of all walks of life, of all ages, and notably of all ethnic backgrounds, came to lay their flowers and spend a short time paying their respects.
People I spoke to and overheard expressed their sadness for both the families and the hostages and especially for Katrina Dawson’s children, now without their mother this Christmas.
Many said “it could have been me. I often have coffee there”.
There was a visible outpouring of affection for the police, who were present in large numbers, with people openly hugging them and I overheard many express their gratitude for the work they do to keep us safe.
It was a time when people wanted to say “thank-you. It is appreciated”.
On Thursday I saw so many families with children of all ages coming to put their flowers on what has become a shrine, parents explaining to children what had happened and the significance of what they were doing together.
Above all, I was conscious that this was a city who had come together as one in grief for people whose lives were lost, but also a city grieving its own loss of innocence and an acknowledgement that we too have all been touched by the evil of this event.
Ann Williamson,
Orange