Memorial for Shire victims of Bali bombings
On 12 October 2002 a bomb blast devastated the nightclub district in the resort town of Kuta Beach on the island of Bali, Indonesia.
A total of 202 people lost their lives as a result of the blast and over 300 were injured.
Of the 88 Australians who died in the blast, seven lived in Sutherland Shire. They were: Charmaine Whitton, Jodi Wallace, Jodie O'Shea, Michelle Dunlop, Renae Anderson, Simone Hanley, and Francoise Dahan.
"The Bali tragedy has deeply affected the Australian community. Through this memorial I hope that council can contribute to the healing process," said Sutherland Shire Mayor, Clr Phil Blight.
"This memorial can provide a focus to help us all remember these fine young people who were so senselessly taken from us," he said.
The memorial
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On Sunday 28 September 2003, around 500 people attended a dedication ceremony for a memorial to these seven women.
Sutherland Shire Council commissioned sculptor Chris Bennetts and Ishi Buki Sandstone Sculpture to design a memorial as a tribute to the lives of these seven young women and their contribution to our community, and as a lasting reminder of this tragic event. Their work, called "The Seed", is a design derived from the seed and foliage of the Banksia robur, a beautiful native plant indigenous to Sutherland Shire. The seed was chosen as it signifies renewal, resilience and regeneration. This pink sandstone sculpture is the centrepiece of the memorial. It is set in a black granite pond and located not far from North Cronulla Beach which was frequented by many of the seven victims and their families. |
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Dedication ceremony
The memorial was dedicated by Julie Dunsmore, a grief counsellor for the Australian Federal Police. Ms Dunsmore has worked extensively with the families of the seven Shire victims. The plaque was unveiled by the Mayor of Sutherland Shire, Councillor Phil Blight, who ended his speech by saying: "In these troubled times we live in, the bonds that bind us together become ever more important – community, family, friendship and tradition. We are all on this earth for only a relatively short time. Let's value each day we have and treasure the loved ones near and dear to us. And of those we care about who aren't here with us now, let's remember what made them unique and may that memory give us the strength to live life to the full."
Jason Anderson spoke of his wife Renae: "I know she won't be coming back but I wish that she would, not just for me but for Noah." Mr Anderson's four-year-old son Noah was one of seven relatives of the victims who released white doves at the end of the ceremony.
Craig Whitton, brother of Charmaine, said he still could not believe that innocent people who were just out having fun had lost their lives.
Other speakers included: the Hon. Bruce Baird MP, federal member for Cook; and Mr Barry Collier MP, state member for Miranda.
The plaques
Two stainless steel plaques are set into the black granite surrounding the pond. The text on the plaques reads:
Memorial plaque
"Shortly before midnight on Saturday 12 October 2002, a devastating terrorist attack was triggered at the beachside town of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali. Two massive bombs exploded in quick succession outside the Sari Club and in Paddy's Bar. The blast and fires killed 202 people and injured hundreds of others. Most of the victims were young holiday-makers with 88 Australians killed, including 7 from Sutherland Shire.
"THE SEED" by Ishi Buki Sandstone Sculptures
"This memorial was inspired by the seed and foliage of the Banksia robur, a beautiful plant indigenous to the Sutherland Shire.
"The seed design was chosen to symbolise renewal, resilience and regeneration. The flow of water signifies the healing and cleansing qualities of water – the force of life. Officially unveiled by the Mayor of Sutherland Shire, Councillor Phil Blight, on 28 September 2003."
Poem plaque
The second plaque is a poem written by the families of these seven women.
"Our Girls"
"Seven young girls set off for fun
To relax and soak in some Bali sun
But the news broke out and rang in our ears
Our girls had been killed and we cried many tears.
We wish we had known that that "goodbye" would be our last.
How could we have known that your future would be our past?
How do we right this terrible wrong?
For all of you we must stay strong.
We will try to move our lives forward as our goal.
You will always remain deep in our hearts and soul."
Written by the families of those lost.
This plaque also carries photos of the seven women.
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