Edwina Pickles’ front page Sun Herald photo (“Hateful flags and slogans banned”, December 21) of a crescent of many hundreds of volunteer lifesavers, all in the familiar red and yellow, spanning the shore at Bondi in vigil, their colours long providing us with a sense of safety and selflessness, moved me the way only the grainy depictions of the Anzacs landing at Gallipoli always do. Andrew Cohen, Glebe
The photo of volunteer surf lifesavers standing firm around Bondi Beach shows respect and mindfulness for victims and survivors of the tragedy last week. It is on the fridge door. It shows Australia is strong, looks after their mates and welcomes all with kindness and care. Hate is not our way. Politicians who use divisive words are not worthy of a vote. Our hearts are heavy with grief but a smile and g’day shows kindness is the winner. Bea Hodgson, Gerringong
Surf Lifesavers from Bondi stand shoulder-to-shoulder along the shore and observe a silence on Saturday December 20. At the same time, on beaches all around Australia, fellow surf lifesavers stood with them.Credit: Edwina Pickles
The power of words
Thank you, Jenna Price, for your moving article (“My country is gone. It won’t come back”, December 21). I would never question the depth or sincerity of Josh Frydenberg’s grief at the terrible events at Bondi, but I was outraged that two days later he would use that emotion in his speech to so nakedly politicise such a tragedy when clearly our country needs unity from its political leaders. Jenna Price’s sorrow, empathy and deep understanding are in stark contrast. Her words powerfully conveyed the pain of her experience, and that of the Jewish community, without rancour or blame, in a way that could actually change minds. Josh Frydenberg provoked me to anger, Jenna Price opened my heart. Nick Parsons, Lithgow
Thank you, Jenna Price, for your sensible and heartbreaking words. I’d been wondering how you were, knowing you would be “broken”, of course, like all Jewish and so many non-Jewish Australians who are experiencing “tears and fears” and trying to stand “against bigotry and racism” in our everyday lives and in the way we vote. I’m glad you’ve been able to pen such an honest and moving piece as part of the long healing process that is ahead for you, your friends and family, and for all who are “paying attention” to the sad and dangerous normalisation of hatred and violence that has reared its ugly head of late in our country. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown
Jenna Price, we feel your pain and no, our country won’t be the same again. I hope it can be better. To give up hope means those misguided terrorists have achieved their goals. Our beautiful, at times welcoming country, has never been perfect. Hate, greed and prejudice make sure it is not always a haven of safety. Your plea to call out bigotry and racism echoes the calls from our own hearts. We all want the country your parents wanted for you, that you want for your children and grandchildren. Things will never be the same, but we can work to make them better. Geoff Nilon, Mascot
Thank you, Jenna Price and Jacqueline Maley (“It’s about time for the politicians to return Bondi Beach to the people”, December 21) for your passionate and timely responses on the Bondi Beach atrocity. In such different ways, your clarity, compelling narratives and insights have helped me to understand what has happened. You both capture the continuing pain of bigotry and the need to call it out and work for positive and united solutions. May your clarion calls be heard above the chaff of trolls and opportunists. My respect and gratitude to you both. Deb McPherson, Gerringong
Managing the risk
Any enquiry into Bondi’s shootings needs to be complete and consider all aspects that lead to the events: federal government and agencies’ policies; reasons for the increase in antisemitism and how to prevent any possible reoccurrence in the future (“Minns plan for a state inquiry wins PM’s backing”, December 21). We learnt at a young age to be “street wise” and not place ourselves in dangerous situations, while the tool of “risk management” has been used by organisations for some time when planning any event. Thus, we expect to be safe within any organised event. Therefore, we need to know why the organisers of the event failed to choose a safer venue, particularly when for some time our Jewish community has seen the need to provided guards to their schools/places of worship, and understandably, expressed concern for their safety in their homes and while in public, following graffiti/burning of their properties in the Eastern Suburbs. Brian McDonald, Willoughby
