A plea for help after the heartbreak of Bondi Junction

Business owners in Westfield Bondi Junction whose faces became familiar as Sydneysiders sought answers from those who witnessed tragedy first hand are asking for help.

Westfield’s tenants are calling on the public to return to the centre this weekend and support the small businesses which, after being exposed to life-changing violence in the recent stabbing attack which killed six, are struggling.

Owners of Luxe Bar Cafe Amornrut Kamhom and Michael Dunkley, Hair Royale owner Bill Mohana, and GloBar owner Vinny Jovanovski.Credit: Dion Georgopolous

Westfield Bondi Junction hair salon owner Bill Mohana has returned to work, to the place he saw bodies and blood trails left by killer Joel Cauchi on April 13 – but there’s one thing missing from Westfield making it difficult to move on.

“No one comes in. Before we were busy, we were working all day … now there are no women at all,” the owner of Hair Royale said.

“There’s no kids around at all, no mums, when normally at this time of year in the school holidays, it is packed with mums.”

Mohana is receiving counselling following the attack, but at times still feels like he is back there, hiding with his customers, thinking he was going to die.

Westfield Bondi Junction’s food court was eerily quiet on Wednesday at 11.30am.

The stress of paying more than $20,000 rent per month with no customers coming in has him at breaking point.

“We want mothers and families to understand it’s safe to come back to Bondi now – please come back because to be honest, there’s not much longer we can last.”

While parts of the shopping centre have seen a return of customers – mostly grocery shopping – the luxury fashion stores and food court remain quiet.

Michael Dunkley and his wife, Amornrut Kamhom, were working at their cafe, Luxe Bar, when the chaos erupted. He herded customers and his wife into a safe room before chasing down Cauchi, ending up behind NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott when she shot the attacker dead.

Dunkley said with the luxury fashion stores quieter than ever and shoppers going to other centres after the attack, the food court businesses have been decimated. Chanel, one of the many scenes of violence, remains closed.

He said the business lost $20,000 in stock in the days they were forced to close, and the cafe is still losing money every day as customers stay away from the “mausoleum” atmosphere.

“I don’t know how we get more people to come in and support the local businesses, but we need it badly,” Dunkley said.

“It’s literally empty. It should be pumping, it’s the school holidays, movies are on, kids should be running everywhere – it should be alive.”

The six people killed in the Bondi stabbing attack: (clockwise from top left) Ashlee Good, Jade Young, Dawn Singleton, Yixuan Cheng, Faraz Tahir and Pikria Darchia.

Dunkley, Mohana and several other business owners who spoke to this masthead said while they want more support from either Westfield owner Scentre Group or the state government to ease their financial woes, they need a groundswell of public support to keep their heads above water.

“This weekend is the perfect time to bring the family back to the shopping centre and support the small business owners, it’s never been safer,” Dunkley said.

Security guards have been given stab-proof vests and businesses say there is a more visible police and security presence in the centre.

A spokesperson for Scentre Group said most businesses were now open for trade and the remaining were expected to open in the coming days.

“As announced last week, we are providing both financial and non-financial support to all Westfield Bondi business partners during this very difficult period,” they said.

Security guards at Westfield Bondi Junction wore protective vests in a new security initiative after the fatal attack.Credit: Flavio Brancaleone

“This includes our decision to waive rent between 13-19 April.”

Minister for Small Business Steve Kamper said the government is exploring options for providing additional support to businesses and employees impacted. The government previously announced a free advice service for employers and free mental health training for businesses to support their employees.

“We are encouraging people from across Sydney to wrap their arms around this community and support the local small businesses that have been impacted by this tragedy,” he said.

Customers returning to Bondi Westfield who would like support can call the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.