A salute to the bravery displayed at Bondi Junction

On Saturday, as reports started emerging about the Bondi Junction mass stabbing, across Sydney people started phoning or texting to reassure loved ones and friends they were safe. Like a pebble sending ripples across a pond, when sudden catastrophe strikes, the fragility of our lives binds us all.

But it was the unforgettable footage of the female NSW Police officer running towards danger that captured how selfless emergency personnel so often save us in our hour of need.

Bondi Junction attack victims Dawn Singleton, 25; Pikria Darchia, 55; Jade Young, 47; Ashlee Good, 38; and Faraz Tahir, 30.

NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott was the first officer on the scene and confronted the knife-wielding attacker alone, before shooting him dead with a bullet to the chest when he lunged at her. She then performed CPR on him and some of his victims lying on the ground as she waited for back-up.

Scott is a hero whose action saved lives. “Bondi Junction was the scene of shocking violence, but it was also witness to the humanity and the heroism of our fellow Australians, our brave police, our first responders and of course everyday people who could never have imagined that they would face such a moment,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday.

Police Inspector Amy ScottCredit: NSW Police

People who act bravely appear not to succumb to fear. Sometimes their calm, practical responses derive from intense preparation. Police, firefighters, airline staff, paramedics and soldiers are trained for dangerous, unexpected situations and their courageous response is automatic.

So police on Saturday battled to save victims’ lives and fearlessly attempted to secure the area as confusion reigned. But in addition to police and paramedic responses, Bondi Junction also saw ordinary people step up as the killer took the lives of five women and one man and seriously wounded eight, including a baby.

Stories emerged of members of the public risking their lives by refusing to flee and instead remaining with fearful shoppers - also mainly women - while others attempted to take on the assailant. Footage of one man taking him on with a bollard is now seared into Sydney’s collective memory.

Bondi Junction now joins Clifton Hill, Queen Street, Strathfield, Port Arthur and the Lindt Cafe on the Australian list of mindless attacks by loners with or without a cause upon defenceless and blameless victims. The fears raised by these massacres never fully go away. And modern life is such now that when these horrific events do recur, one of the first questions asked of police is about terrorist acts.

John Howard courageously reformed gun laws following Port Arthur. Terrible as the Bondi Junction attack was, if Joel Cauchi had access to a firearm, the casualties would have been a lot worse.

The Bondi Junction attack reminds us again of the huge debt we owe to emergency personnel. Their actions represent the best of humanity and continue to inspire us. We thank and salute them – but know they will be called upon again to put themselves in harm’s way.

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