Latest news with #Cauchi
Perth Now
21-07-2025
- Perth Now
Permanent Bondi Westfield memorial revealed
The first early details of a planned permanent memorial to the victims of the Bondi Westfield attack have emerged, with initial proposals for a new 'garden space' that might serve as a place for 'reflection and respite'. Waverley Council, which takes in the eastern Sydney suburbs of Bondi Junction and Bondi Beach, is proposing the memorial, with the council's Arts Committee discussing the project in April. A key theme for the memorial could include acknowledging women victims and the council will likely preference a female and Australian artist for the new installation. 'Key themes about women victims and need for mental health care,' Waverley's July 15 meeting document states. 'Preference expressed for a female artist. Garden space / mental health space, a place for reflection and respite, not just an artwork. 'Pressed flowers were such a great part of the one-year anniversary, would be good to keep this intimate, curved, sweeping, softer space (not angular). Waverley Council is considering a permanent memorial for the victims of the Bondi Westfield attack. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia 'Location will inform input into the type of memorial and potential artist.' Designs and an exact location are still to be decided. The council is now seeking feedback on memorial examples and possible artists. It is expected the council will select artists rather to go to public tender. Joel Cauchi, 40, killed six people – five women – and injured 10 others in a stabbing rampage at the busy Westfield shopping centre on the afternoon of April 13, 2024. Dawn Singleton, Yixuan Cheng, Faraz Ahmed Tahir, Ashlee Good, Jade Young and Pikria Darchia lost their lives in the attack. NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott shot Cauchi dead, ending the rampage. A five-week coronial inquest into Cauchi's state of mind both before and during the fatal attack took place in April. The attack happened at the Bondi Westfield shopping centre on April 13, 2024. NewsWire / Simon Bullard. Credit: News Corp Australia The 40-year-old killer was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 17 and was medicated for more than a decade to treat the condition until he ceased taking all psychotropic medication in June 2019, the inquest heard. On the day of the attack, Cauchi was 'floridly psychotic', a panel of five psychiatrists told the court. To date, makeshift memorials have been set up for the community to mourn the event. From April 10 to 16 this year, two commemorative display boards were installed in Oxford Street Mall in Bondi Junction. The displays showcased photographs, messages and images from the floral tributes and vigil, offering a space for reflection. 'One year on, we pause and reflect on the tragic events of April 13 and remember the strength of the community in the days following,' NSW Premier Chris Minns said in April. 'Our thoughts are with the victims' families, those injured, first responders and all those whose lives were changed forever.'
7NEWS
05-06-2025
- 7NEWS
France honours Bondi Junction stabbing 'bollard' heroes
Armed with bollards and bravery, French nationals Damien Guerot and Silas Despreaux confronted Joel Cauchi amid his stabbing rampage at a busy mall in broad daylight where he killed six dead in five minutes. They were awarded the Ordre National du Merite, one of France's highest distinctions, on Thursday at NSW parliament for their courageous efforts on April 13, 2024. Footage of the construction workers coming face to face with the attacker atop an escalator during his killing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction went viral. Cauchi, who had a history of acute mental health disorders and was off his medication, knifed 10 other victims in the indiscriminate attack before being shot dead by Inspector Amy Scott. 'We were defending ourselves because we were thinking he (Cauchi) was coming after us and the first thing we saw were the bollards,' 32-year-old Guerot said. Despreaux, 33, who grew in Ukraine as a youngster with his father who was a charity worker, said 'adrenaline' drove them to act tradies were at the mall to buy a new laptop but their day quickly turned into a blood-soaked episode when they saw Cauchi stab a few victims and stood only a few metres away from them before Scott, the lone police officer, killed him. The fallout from the mass stabbing is being examined in an ongoing coronial inquest. 'In the hour of danger when dozens of lives were at risk... they ran towards the violence, they chose to put their lives on the line,' Premier Chris Minns said. 'The sad and hard truth is we don't know how bad this tragedy could've been without their intervention. '(You) will always be heroes of this state.' French Ambassador Pierre-Andre Imbert, who presented the blue coloured medals to the two French friends, praised them for their humility and deliberately staying out of the limelight after the events. 'They acted not out of duty, but out of instinct,' he said. The pair's actions in attempting to hold back the assailant prompted French President Emmanuel Macron at the time to commend the courage of the compatriots. They join a long list of renowned recipients of the award in the last six decades including oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and actress Isabelle Huppert. Guerot confirmed that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promptly followed through on his promise of granting him permanent residency for saving lives. Even though Despreaux is eligible for citizenship he is waiting for Guerot to share another crucial milestone together. When he first came out to Australia, softly spoken Guerot said he brought a small stuffed toy rooster to remind him of France and he has added two more animals that symbolise what he has gone through. 'I have three emblems in my heart — the rooster, the kangaroo and emu — animals that never move backwards. Together they keep me going forward with courage, pride and hope.' Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
The Advertiser
05-06-2025
- The Advertiser
France honours Bondi mall stabbing 'bollard' heroes
Armed with bollards and bravery, French nationals Damien Guerot and Silas Despreaux confronted Joel Cauchi amid his stabbing rampage at a busy mall in broad daylight where he killed six dead in five minutes. They were awarded the Ordre National du Merite, one of France's highest distinctions, on Thursday at NSW parliament for their courageous efforts on April 13, 2024. Footage of the construction workers coming face to face with the attacker atop an escalator during his killing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction went viral. Cauchi, who had a history of acute mental health disorders and was off his medication, knifed 10 other victims in the indiscriminate attack before being shot dead by Inspector Amy Scott. "We were defending ourselves because we were thinking he (Cauchi) was coming after us and the first thing we saw were the bollards," 32-year-old Mr Guerot told AAP. Mr Despreaux, 33, who grew in Ukraine as a youngster with his father who was a charity worker, said "adrenaline" drove them to act tradies were at the mall to buy a new laptop but their day quickly turned into a blood-soaked episode when they saw Mr Cauchi stab a few victims and stood only a few metres away from them before the lone police officer, Ms Scott, killed him. The fallout from the mass stabbing is being examined in an ongoing coronial inquest. "In the hour of danger when dozens of lives were at risk... they ran towards the violence, they chose to put their lives on the line," Premier Chris Minns said. "The sad and hard truth is we don't know how bad this tragedy could've been without their intervention. "(You) will always be heroes of this state." French Ambassador Pierre-Andre Imbert, who presented the blue coloured medals to the two French friends, praised them for their humility and deliberately staying out of the limelight after the events. "They acted not out of duty, but out of instinct," he said. The pair's actions in attempting to hold back the assailant prompted French President Emmanuel Macron at the time to commend the courage of the compatriots. They join a long list of renowned recipients of the award in the last six decades including oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and actress Isabelle Huppert. Mr Guerot confirmed that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promptly followed through on his promise of granting him permanent residency for saving lives. Even though, Mr Despreaux is eligible for citizenship he is waiting for Mr Guerot to share another crucial milestone together. When he first came out to Australia, softly spoken Mr Guerot said he brought a small stuffed toy rooster to remind him of France and he has added two more animals that symbolise what he has gone through. "I have three emblems in my heart - the rooster, the kangaroo and emu - animals that never move backwards. Together they keep me going forward with courage, pride and hope." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Armed with bollards and bravery, French nationals Damien Guerot and Silas Despreaux confronted Joel Cauchi amid his stabbing rampage at a busy mall in broad daylight where he killed six dead in five minutes. They were awarded the Ordre National du Merite, one of France's highest distinctions, on Thursday at NSW parliament for their courageous efforts on April 13, 2024. Footage of the construction workers coming face to face with the attacker atop an escalator during his killing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction went viral. Cauchi, who had a history of acute mental health disorders and was off his medication, knifed 10 other victims in the indiscriminate attack before being shot dead by Inspector Amy Scott. "We were defending ourselves because we were thinking he (Cauchi) was coming after us and the first thing we saw were the bollards," 32-year-old Mr Guerot told AAP. Mr Despreaux, 33, who grew in Ukraine as a youngster with his father who was a charity worker, said "adrenaline" drove them to act tradies were at the mall to buy a new laptop but their day quickly turned into a blood-soaked episode when they saw Mr Cauchi stab a few victims and stood only a few metres away from them before the lone police officer, Ms Scott, killed him. The fallout from the mass stabbing is being examined in an ongoing coronial inquest. "In the hour of danger when dozens of lives were at risk... they ran towards the violence, they chose to put their lives on the line," Premier Chris Minns said. "The sad and hard truth is we don't know how bad this tragedy could've been without their intervention. "(You) will always be heroes of this state." French Ambassador Pierre-Andre Imbert, who presented the blue coloured medals to the two French friends, praised them for their humility and deliberately staying out of the limelight after the events. "They acted not out of duty, but out of instinct," he said. The pair's actions in attempting to hold back the assailant prompted French President Emmanuel Macron at the time to commend the courage of the compatriots. They join a long list of renowned recipients of the award in the last six decades including oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and actress Isabelle Huppert. Mr Guerot confirmed that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promptly followed through on his promise of granting him permanent residency for saving lives. Even though, Mr Despreaux is eligible for citizenship he is waiting for Mr Guerot to share another crucial milestone together. When he first came out to Australia, softly spoken Mr Guerot said he brought a small stuffed toy rooster to remind him of France and he has added two more animals that symbolise what he has gone through. "I have three emblems in my heart - the rooster, the kangaroo and emu - animals that never move backwards. Together they keep me going forward with courage, pride and hope." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Armed with bollards and bravery, French nationals Damien Guerot and Silas Despreaux confronted Joel Cauchi amid his stabbing rampage at a busy mall in broad daylight where he killed six dead in five minutes. They were awarded the Ordre National du Merite, one of France's highest distinctions, on Thursday at NSW parliament for their courageous efforts on April 13, 2024. Footage of the construction workers coming face to face with the attacker atop an escalator during his killing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction went viral. Cauchi, who had a history of acute mental health disorders and was off his medication, knifed 10 other victims in the indiscriminate attack before being shot dead by Inspector Amy Scott. "We were defending ourselves because we were thinking he (Cauchi) was coming after us and the first thing we saw were the bollards," 32-year-old Mr Guerot told AAP. Mr Despreaux, 33, who grew in Ukraine as a youngster with his father who was a charity worker, said "adrenaline" drove them to act tradies were at the mall to buy a new laptop but their day quickly turned into a blood-soaked episode when they saw Mr Cauchi stab a few victims and stood only a few metres away from them before the lone police officer, Ms Scott, killed him. The fallout from the mass stabbing is being examined in an ongoing coronial inquest. "In the hour of danger when dozens of lives were at risk... they ran towards the violence, they chose to put their lives on the line," Premier Chris Minns said. "The sad and hard truth is we don't know how bad this tragedy could've been without their intervention. "(You) will always be heroes of this state." French Ambassador Pierre-Andre Imbert, who presented the blue coloured medals to the two French friends, praised them for their humility and deliberately staying out of the limelight after the events. "They acted not out of duty, but out of instinct," he said. The pair's actions in attempting to hold back the assailant prompted French President Emmanuel Macron at the time to commend the courage of the compatriots. They join a long list of renowned recipients of the award in the last six decades including oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and actress Isabelle Huppert. Mr Guerot confirmed that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promptly followed through on his promise of granting him permanent residency for saving lives. Even though, Mr Despreaux is eligible for citizenship he is waiting for Mr Guerot to share another crucial milestone together. When he first came out to Australia, softly spoken Mr Guerot said he brought a small stuffed toy rooster to remind him of France and he has added two more animals that symbolise what he has gone through. "I have three emblems in my heart - the rooster, the kangaroo and emu - animals that never move backwards. Together they keep me going forward with courage, pride and hope." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Armed with bollards and bravery, French nationals Damien Guerot and Silas Despreaux confronted Joel Cauchi amid his stabbing rampage at a busy mall in broad daylight where he killed six dead in five minutes. They were awarded the Ordre National du Merite, one of France's highest distinctions, on Thursday at NSW parliament for their courageous efforts on April 13, 2024. Footage of the construction workers coming face to face with the attacker atop an escalator during his killing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction went viral. Cauchi, who had a history of acute mental health disorders and was off his medication, knifed 10 other victims in the indiscriminate attack before being shot dead by Inspector Amy Scott. "We were defending ourselves because we were thinking he (Cauchi) was coming after us and the first thing we saw were the bollards," 32-year-old Mr Guerot told AAP. Mr Despreaux, 33, who grew in Ukraine as a youngster with his father who was a charity worker, said "adrenaline" drove them to act tradies were at the mall to buy a new laptop but their day quickly turned into a blood-soaked episode when they saw Mr Cauchi stab a few victims and stood only a few metres away from them before the lone police officer, Ms Scott, killed him. The fallout from the mass stabbing is being examined in an ongoing coronial inquest. "In the hour of danger when dozens of lives were at risk... they ran towards the violence, they chose to put their lives on the line," Premier Chris Minns said. "The sad and hard truth is we don't know how bad this tragedy could've been without their intervention. "(You) will always be heroes of this state." French Ambassador Pierre-Andre Imbert, who presented the blue coloured medals to the two French friends, praised them for their humility and deliberately staying out of the limelight after the events. "They acted not out of duty, but out of instinct," he said. The pair's actions in attempting to hold back the assailant prompted French President Emmanuel Macron at the time to commend the courage of the compatriots. They join a long list of renowned recipients of the award in the last six decades including oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and actress Isabelle Huppert. Mr Guerot confirmed that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promptly followed through on his promise of granting him permanent residency for saving lives. Even though, Mr Despreaux is eligible for citizenship he is waiting for Mr Guerot to share another crucial milestone together. When he first came out to Australia, softly spoken Mr Guerot said he brought a small stuffed toy rooster to remind him of France and he has added two more animals that symbolise what he has gone through. "I have three emblems in my heart - the rooster, the kangaroo and emu - animals that never move backwards. Together they keep me going forward with courage, pride and hope." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
West Australian
05-06-2025
- West Australian
France honours Bondi mall stabbing 'bollard' heroes
Armed with bollards and bravery, French nationals Damien Guerot and Silas Despreaux confronted Joel Cauchi amid his stabbing rampage at a busy mall in broad daylight where he killed six dead in five minutes. They were awarded the Ordre National du Merite, one of France's highest distinctions, on Thursday at NSW parliament for their courageous efforts on April 13, 2024. Footage of the construction workers coming face to face with the attacker atop an escalator during his killing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction went viral. Cauchi, who had a history of acute mental health disorders and was off his medication, knifed 10 other victims in the indiscriminate attack before being shot dead by Inspector Amy Scott. "We were defending ourselves because we were thinking he (Cauchi) was coming after us and the first thing we saw were the bollards," 32-year-old Mr Guerot told AAP. Mr Despreaux, 33, who grew in Ukraine as a youngster with his father who was a charity worker, said "adrenaline" drove them to act tradies were at the mall to buy a new laptop but their day quickly turned into a blood-soaked episode when they saw Mr Cauchi stab a few victims and stood only a few metres away from them before the lone police officer, Ms Scott, killed him. The fallout from the mass stabbing is being examined in an ongoing coronial inquest. "In the hour of danger when dozens of lives were at risk... they ran towards the violence, they chose to put their lives on the line," Premier Chris Minns said. "The sad and hard truth is we don't know how bad this tragedy could've been without their intervention. "(You) will always be heroes of this state." French Ambassador Pierre-Andre Imbert, who presented the blue coloured medals to the two French friends, praised them for their humility and deliberately staying out of the limelight after the events. "They acted not out of duty, but out of instinct," he said. The pair's actions in attempting to hold back the assailant prompted French President Emmanuel Macron at the time to commend the courage of the compatriots. They join a long list of renowned recipients of the award in the last six decades including oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and actress Isabelle Huppert. Mr Guerot confirmed that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promptly followed through on his promise of granting him permanent residency for saving lives. Even though, Mr Despreaux is eligible for citizenship he is waiting for Mr Guerot to share another crucial milestone together. When he first came out to Australia, softly spoken Mr Guerot said he brought a small stuffed toy rooster to remind him of France and he has added two more animals that symbolise what he has gone through. "I have three emblems in my heart - the rooster, the kangaroo and emu - animals that never move backwards. Together they keep me going forward with courage, pride and hope." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Perth Now
05-06-2025
- Perth Now
France honours Bondi mall stabbing 'bollard' heroes
Armed with bollards and bravery, French nationals Damien Guerot and Silas Despreaux confronted Joel Cauchi amid his stabbing rampage at a busy mall in broad daylight where he killed six dead in five minutes. They were awarded the Ordre National du Merite, one of France's highest distinctions, on Thursday at NSW parliament for their courageous efforts on April 13, 2024. Footage of the construction workers coming face to face with the attacker atop an escalator during his killing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction went viral. Cauchi, who had a history of acute mental health disorders and was off his medication, knifed 10 other victims in the indiscriminate attack before being shot dead by Inspector Amy Scott. "We were defending ourselves because we were thinking he (Cauchi) was coming after us and the first thing we saw were the bollards," 32-year-old Mr Guerot told AAP. Mr Despreaux, 33, who grew in Ukraine as a youngster with his father who was a charity worker, said "adrenaline" drove them to act tradies were at the mall to buy a new laptop but their day quickly turned into a blood-soaked episode when they saw Mr Cauchi stab a few victims and stood only a few metres away from them before the lone police officer, Ms Scott, killed him. The fallout from the mass stabbing is being examined in an ongoing coronial inquest. "In the hour of danger when dozens of lives were at risk... they ran towards the violence, they chose to put their lives on the line," Premier Chris Minns said. "The sad and hard truth is we don't know how bad this tragedy could've been without their intervention. "(You) will always be heroes of this state." French Ambassador Pierre-Andre Imbert, who presented the blue coloured medals to the two French friends, praised them for their humility and deliberately staying out of the limelight after the events. "They acted not out of duty, but out of instinct," he said. The pair's actions in attempting to hold back the assailant prompted French President Emmanuel Macron at the time to commend the courage of the compatriots. They join a long list of renowned recipients of the award in the last six decades including oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and actress Isabelle Huppert. Mr Guerot confirmed that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promptly followed through on his promise of granting him permanent residency for saving lives. Even though, Mr Despreaux is eligible for citizenship he is waiting for Mr Guerot to share another crucial milestone together. When he first came out to Australia, softly spoken Mr Guerot said he brought a small stuffed toy rooster to remind him of France and he has added two more animals that symbolise what he has gone through. "I have three emblems in my heart - the rooster, the kangaroo and emu - animals that never move backwards. Together they keep me going forward with courage, pride and hope." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
