The greatest Christmas gift of all.

[El Presidente]

I love this time of the year 

It's Christmas season and for this part of the world that means it is hot and humid and thoughts turn to the beach, BBQs, Christmas catchups, long lunches, family reunions. Most of Oz will shut down this Friday and some will turn up again the week of the 5th of Jan with many more stringing it out until Australia Day on the 26th. It is our holiday period, our "special time". Aussies feel lucky. We know we are privileged to live in this great brown land surrounded by beautiful beaches/sea. 

It is why Sundays news of the Bondi beach massacre has shocked this nation to its core. 

We are a country of immigrants. No one ever came to this country because they had a lot of mates. We have taken immense pride to be a land of opportunity and largely peaceful co-existence. It's not perfect but in the main, you honour your past traditions, you park your issues at the door and you adopt the Australian ethos of tolerance. You "dig in" to make your mark to the best of your ability. 

What a difference 48 hours makes. Today in Oz, there appears to be one demographic, the Jewish community, who can no longer feel safe in enjoying what the rest of us take for granted. A day at the beach, a celebration, a BBQ, a laugh with friends and family, all held in an environment of safety. 

What occured Sunday was terrorism on our sacred sands. 16 dead, 40 injured. 

My heart goes out to all impacted by this tragedy. It has stunned the entire country and should cause all Aussies to contemplate what it means to be an Aussie. I hope that on the other side of that contemplation we all decide to be  Ahmed al-Ahmed, that Aussie of Syrian descent who said "no, F*ck that",  ran toward the firing terrorist, tackled him, disarmed him and saved countless innocents in the process. Ahmed al-Ahmed took a few bullets and recovers in hospital. 

Through his actions, Ahmed al-Ahmed has given Australia the greatest Christmas gift of all. He has defined courage, he has defined what being an Aussie should be. Without concern for personal safety, he protected the innocent, the vulnerable. 

Thank you Ahmed al-Ahmed for the reminder. Thank you for the greatest Christmas gift of all. Merry Christmas mate and a quick recovery. 

 

[barrygoodvibes]

Well said. As a scared but very proud Jew, it gives me hope that there are men and women out there like this. True selfless heroes. 

[WarriorPrincess]

Well said 💔

[Chibearsv]

Terrible day but a great story of courage and sacrifice. We certainly could use a lot more of that. I’d like to think I’d be as brave in a similar moment, but he proved it. Bravo!  

[riderpride]

It's hard to process the tragedy that unfolded - hard to believe someone or some group could be targeted in this manner. 

Most people live their lives recording and showing people what they saw. This man DID something and can hopefully be an example to many. Ahmed showed true humanity and then some. Full on Denzel 'Man On Fire'.

Change starts with one person. Let's make sure the momentum keeps us moving forward. 

Cheers!

[JohnS]

This hit home a bit hard this week. Eighteen months ago, a mentally ill man entered Westfield Shopping Centre in nearby Bondi Junction, killing 6 people and injuring 12 in a stabbing attack. Two days ago, this senseless attack on Bondi Beach targetting innocent people celebrating the Hanukkah festival. On Sunday nght, my wife and I were on the phone for a long time consoling our 25 year-old daughter who lives, studies and works part-time around that area of Sydney. 

(It's all) Just really upsetting. Firstly, for the innocent people killed and injured who were going about their daily lives, and then for my daughter who has had her confidence justifiably shaken due to these events. Just got to be strong and not give into this fear that these terrorists aim to incite.