Source: Radio New Zealand
Kazzi Beach Greek displays Israel flags to support the victims, but has had both positive and negative feedback. Charlotte Cook
Bondi businesses say they will feel the effects of Sunday’s attack for a long time, but they are determined to return to normal.
The community is defiant to not let the terrorist attack that killed 15 victims and one shooter, and injured dozens more, define them or their summer.
Hospitality underpins the beachside suburb. Four days after the massacre, businesses were returning to normal – or their new normal.
For Tony Gosden at Tony’s Burger Joint, it happened sooner than he thought.
They closed on Monday, but the staff wanted to return for Tuesday, unsure how it would go.
“We had a full house last night, which I was really surprised,” he said. “So do people want to get out and go, ‘Hey, we’re not going to be beaten by this’?
“Part of me feels that.”
Tony Gosden from Tony’s Burger Joint at Bondi Beach. Charlotte Cook
It’s also complicated.
“It’s going to be weird for a really long time, but the next couple of weeks, everyone’s just meant to be, you know, sort of celebrating life, and being happy and stuff, and now… it doesn’t feel that way.”
Gosden said the terrorist attack had changed the trajectory of the summer.
“This is probably going to be the best summer we’ve had in years… and us personally, as a business… we’ve been booming, absolutely booming.
Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert was shot twice during the Bondi Beach attack. NSW Police
“I think what’s just happened has put a massive cloud over the whole of Bondi and the whole festive season, and the way people are feeling.
“I think everyone wants to get on and have a good festive season, but it’s going to be really tough to celebrate anything, with what’s happened.”
He described the atmosphere as heavy, similar to when COVID hit – downtrodden.
Peter Papas from Kazzi Beach Greek hadn’t noticed a difference in his patrionage. He had put up Israeli flags up in support of the Jewish community.
Papas said people had been stopping in, appreciative of his gesture, but he didin’t know what was to come for the festive season
“People around here are not going to be silenced and they’re going to, if anything, defiantly get back to normal life as fast as they can.”
Johnny Weiler from Jono’s Kitchen at Bondi Beach. Charlotte Cook
He said he’s also had people stop in, critical of him for hanging the flags. Papas said that showed the tensions in the community.
Johnny Weiler from Jono’s Kitchen grew up in Israel – he’s used to violent attacks.
“Here, it’s a thing that people aren’t used to and it’s good that way, but you know, the way it’s going, this is one that’s the beginning of what’s going to happen here.”
He hadn’t lost trade and said lots of people from out of Bondi came in to deliver flowers to the memorial.
The story is different for those behind the cordon,
About 500 metres of the main road along the waterfront was closed for three nights and is still closed.
The government and the insurance council is forcing insurers to pay Bondi attack claims, overruling terror exclusions with official declarations of a terrorist and significant event.
Signs in windows after the attack at Bondi Beach. RNZ / Charlotte Cook
These declarations allow a special fund to be accessed to help, something that hasn’t been done since the Lindt Cafe Sydney siege in 2014.
Insurance or not, these businesses are determined the tight community will pull through.
“Again, I think maybe that’s defiance talking, but we’re looking forward to life carrying on and, if anything, getting better eventually,” Papas said. “We’re just not going to be cowed into behaving differently because of what’s happened.”
Bondi is determined to keep the light.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
