Memorial at Federation Square for victims of Bourke Street rampage

THOUSANDS of people have paid tribute to those lost and impacted by the Bourke St tragedy with a packed memorial at Melbourne’s Federation Square.

THOUSANDS of people have paid tribute to those lost and impacted by the Bourke St tragedy with a packed memorial at Melbourne’s Federation Square.

A large crowd, including many emergency services workers, gathered for a public vigil.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle thanked the crowd for their solidarity and love, telling mourners: “We are here to share in our grief, but to gather strength and hope after an unthinkable act.

“Melbourne is our home. When it happens to one of us, it happens to all of us.”

Among those who died were Thalia Hakin, 10, Matthew Si, 33, and Jess Mudie, 22.

The lives of a three-month-old boy and a 25-year-old Japanese man were also claimed.

The vigil came as Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, of Windsor was charged with five counts of murder.

People gathered at Federation Square for a city vigil. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Mourners at the Federation Square memorial. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The public grieves for the Bourke St victims. Picture: David Caird

Governor of Victoria Linda Dessau said last Friday had started in sunshine and turned into a tragic day.

“Now we ache for those so needlessly lost and for their loved ones, their families, their friends, their colleagues and their school mates whose pain must feel unbearable to them,” she told people in Federation Square.

“We pray for those still struggling with injury and we send every good, every strong and every positive wish to them and to their own circles of families and friends who are still sitting by bedsides, who are loving and caring and hoping.

“Our thoughts are with those who were at close range for whom the feelings of threat, of randomness, of incomprehensible senselessness and trauma are so very raw.”

Thousands attended the vigil last night. Picture: David Caird

People leave flowers at the vigil. Picture: David Caird

Picture: David Caird

Picture: David Caird

Ms Dessau paid tribute to the emergency services personnel who had been on the scene, saying that it was at a difficult time such as this, that we so keenly feel why unity matters.

“As we struggle to understand tragedy, loss, suffering, grief and shock, when nothing can magically ease our pain, at least we can gather together and look after each other,” she added.

A man was booted from the memorial for disorderly behaviour, while others took to social media to describe the feeling of compassion and solidarity as the city came together.

Police media spokeswoman Belinda Batty said: “The man was escorted from the area due to being drunk.”

There were no other problems at the vigil, Ms Batty said.

For support or to donate to The Bourke Street Fund, go to www.vic.gov.au/bourkestreet.

Originally published as Memorial at Federation Square for victims of Bourke Street rampage