‘This is our sanctuary’: A multitude of Surf lifesavers Come together to Remember Shooting The fallen.

Gazing quietly upon the waves on Bondi shoreline, arm in arm with close to a thousand fellow lifesavers, Lockie Cook allowed himself to experience the anguish of a area's deeply distressing week in modern times.

“I feel like that guard’s just dropping,” he said.

Surf lifesavers came together in large numbers on the weekend to participate in two minutes of silence and remember those lost in the previous weekend's violence.

Infants, elders, locals and classmates wearing red-and-yellow uniforms held each other, forming a human chain extending from the iconic bay's north end all the way to its southern point.

“The key realization that’s come out of this is just how much this community matters to me,” he expressed.

“This is our church … It’s just important we come together again and truly recover.”

A Moment of Shared Sorrow

At 8.15am, the moment of quiet was announced by a voice at the beach’s main patrol tower, around which had been laid rows of flowers.

“A short time can be a very long time but take this time for introspection,” he advised.

“Link arms with the person next to you, close your eyes and reflect on the loved ones grieving so we can grow back stronger for this beach family.”

Lifesavers gazed at the sand or to the distance as locals, beachgoers and dignitaries watched on. The sole audible things were waves on the shore, a lone dog’s bark and a whirring rescue helicopter, which circled along the shore as the silence lifted.

Taking Back the Shore

People gathered slowly turned to embrace and applaud their companions at the opposite end of the beach as acclamation rose from the watching crowd.

This was just the latest instance of the volunteers working to strengthen the area this difficult period, noted one man, a Jewish member of the beach's north side and a first responder on Sunday.

“At this moment, I am filled with the care and unity,” expressed the individual, who requested privacy.

Having made his home in Bondi nearly all his life, he took part in the community swim on the following day and has sought to take back the beach as his own.

“It felt like asserting a presence, it’s healing,” he added.

The Guiding Spirit of Lifesaving

Gene Ross, a veteran lifesaving teacher, spent the moments’ silence beside his recently qualified son, considering the togetherness his club had shown after Sunday.

“Choosing to do the attack here … invited Australia to rally behind the community.”

Scores of volunteers experienced a mix of emotions together as they walked back in the direction of their surf clubs and through the area where their colleagues helped the injured on Sunday.

Many others lingered at the beach, prepared to assist people entering the surf.

“Our duty is to all and that’s the guiding spirit of lifesaving,” Ross stated.

“This is our purpose as rescuers: we run to the danger.”