Police, emergency workers, Australians of all faiths build mosaic for Christchurch victims
Hundreds of Australians — some Muslim, Christian and Jewish — have banded together to hand make a piece of art in honour of the Christchurch massacre victims.
AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw has travelled to New Zealand to present families of victims of the 2019 Christchurch massacre with a handmade mosaic as a symbol of our “blue family”.
The mosaic was crafted by hundreds of Australians for two years during Covid lockdowns.
Mr Kershaw presented the mosaic – which was transported across Melbourne in the back of a police car so community members from different faiths and ethnicities could participate – at a special commemorative ceremony held in Christchurch on Wednesday.
During the attack on March 15, 2019, 51 people were killed when now convicted terrorist Brenton Tarrant opened fire at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre.
The AFP deployed more than 60 people to assist in the aftermath of the massacre, including Family Investigation Liaison Officers to collect forensic evidence.
Mr Kershaw said he was “honoured” to present the artwork to families of victims, New Zealand Police deputy commissioner Wallace Haumaha and other emergency services personnel.
“Our hearts were heavy, but our mission never wavered, further strengthening the bond between our blue family,” he said.
“The AFP was honoured to stand with our New Zealand counterparts, who, like the broader New Zealand community, demonstrated exceptional resilience and unity in the wake of such a senseless tragedy.”
The mosaic design features New Zealand’s iconic silver fern emerging from a central mandala representing the generational growth of a community.
AFP southern command community liaison team member Anisa Sharif took charge of the project, and said the artwork features several circles in the middle, symbolising children and the next generation. The fern then unfurls itself.
Ms Sharif said she was motivated to kickstart the project due to the scale of the disaster, followed by the pandemic just one year later.
“I just felt there wasn’t enough support given after that tragic event,” she said.
“It has taken us two years to do it (the artwork). Now is the right time to hand it over. It has been worked on by people from all over the community – Muslims, Christians, Jews.
“It has been to mosques, synagogues and schools. A huge amount of people have worked on it, as well as high-ranking people from various emergency service organisations.”
Mr Haumaha said the AFP’s assistance was integral in the wake of the attack.
“The support of our Australian police partners contributed to the wellbeing of the Muslim community and wider Christchurch communities at a time of great need,” the deputy commissioner said.
“The gifting of these taonga (treasure) today is a true example of the strength we take when we all work together.
“We thank all those who have worked so hard to create this symbol of our shared commitment to building peaceful, safe and inclusive communities.”
More Coverage
Third senior exit at CFMEU administration
The exit came as confidential documents show the union’s national office was in deficit and the SA branch insolvent.
Flood warnings issued as Cyclone Zelia downgraded
Tropical cyclone Zelia has been downgraded but heavy rainfall continues to lash parts of northwest WA, where severe weather and emergency warnings remain in place.