Twenty years on, the Bali bombings feel exactly the same for Geoff Thwaites

The father of footy player Robert Thwaites who was 24 when the Bali bombings claimed him 20 years ago reflects on the grief, saying it is incremental and with him every day

For Gold Coaster Geoff Thwaites whose son Robert was killed in the Bali bombings 20 years ago, the grief is incremental.

His boy “Bob”, as he calls him, was killed age 24 - and Mr Thwaites says Wednesday’s anniversary marking two decades since the fateful day feels no different from the first.

His son had just stepped out of a maxi taxi in front of the Sari club set to celebrate a winning game of rugby league with his team, the ISCI Komodos. Instead he took the full force of the blast. As Mr Thwaites told GC Weekend last Saturday: “He didn’t even have time to get a drink.”

Bali bombing 20th anniversary memorial ceremony at Allambe Gardens. Geoff Thwaites pays his respects to the victims, including his son, at the memorial. Picture: Glenn Hampson

On Wednesday, at the Allambe Memorial Park, Nerang, Mr Thwaites sat amongst a crowd of Coasters gathered to commemorate those they loved and lost when extremists detonated three bombs inside and near popular Kuta nightclubs on October 12, 2002.

It is still the largest loss of Australian life due to a terrorist attack in history.

Robert Thwaites.

“I was here for the very first ceremony held in the first year after the bombings,” Mr Thwaites said at the memorial. “Twenty years, does it feel a bit different? For me, no it does not.

“For me, it’s incremental. I see it every single day. I’m not coming back after being away for 20 years.

“You live it every single day, it’s alive.”

Geoff Thwaites has been at every memorial of the Bali bombings to pay respects to the victims, including his son - including Wednesday’s marking 20 years on. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The Allambe memorial service was among many held across the country and in Bali to remember the 202 victims – including 88 Australians – of the explosions.

Inside the Parkview Chapel at Allambe, seven candles were lit for each of the Queenslanders who perished that night.

The service began with a traditional Balinese dance and moving performances by local singers Stephanie Dass and the Coastal Charisma choir.

The memorial began with traditional Balinese dance. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Gold Coast Councillor Bob La Castra spoke, paying respects to the victims of the “awful, deplorable acts of violence” carried out in Bali two decades ago.

“We gather with family and friends to remember those we lost,” Cr La Castra said during the service, adding they also gathered to remember their lives and “celebrate the legacy of their love”.

Councillor Bob La Castra spoke at the 20th anniversary memorial. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“Australians will never be defeated by terrorism,” he continued. “We can never forget them (the victims). We can never let terrorism win.”

Mr La Castra was among a number of representatives who laid wreaths during the service, including Federal Member for Moncrieff Angie Bell and Bonney MP Sam O’Connor.

Representatives from the Southport RSL and Southport Sharks AFL club – which had seven players injured and one, Billy Hardy, killed in the explosions – also attended to commemorate those lost.

Bali bombing 20th Anniversary memorial ceremony at Allambe Gardens with Balinese dancers in front of the Memorial. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Mr Thwaites described the memorial as “the best we’ve ever had”, and said it was important that the memorial never be a lost part of “culture”

“I want this (the memorial) to be a lasting symbol of our culture, and that we will come every year and remember those that died senselessly,” Mr Thwaites said. “But let’s make it worth something.”