Just as we have for 18 years, this year, we gathered at Dolphins Point in Coogee, the site of the Bali Bombing Memorial, to remember the lives of the 43 people from NSW whose lives were lost in the heartless attack in Kuta in 2002. Of those 43 people, 20 people were from our own Eastern Suburbs, particularly Coogee and Malabar. Six of those who died in the attack, were members of the Coogee Dolphins.

In the time of COVID-19, it can be hard to grieve. Fortunately, we were granted a special exemption to permit our gathering to take place, taking social distancing measures into consideration. Our numbers were limited and the event was shortened. Face masks and hand sanitizer were made available to all who attended.

Despite these restrictions, the ceremony continued and as it always is, it was an emotional and lovely way to remember those whose lives were cut too short.

Along with the 43 residents of New South Wales who were killed in the attack, there was a young man named Tim Hawkins, who was from Tasmania. Tim was the only Tasmanian to die in the attack. With no memorial in Tasmania, Tim's parents have been flying to Sydney each year to be part of the memorial held in Coogee, to help them grieve. They have been embraced by the Randwick Community. Yet, Tim's name wasn't included on the memorial, as he was not a resident of NSW.

This year, we rectified this - Tim's name was added to the memorial, so his parents, friends and family have a place where he will always be remembered.

We'd like to extend our thanks to Adam Condon, a member of the Coogee Dolphins who helped identify team mates after the attack, and Sandra Hardman who lost her son in the attack. Both Adam and Sandra were instrumental in advocating on behalf of the Randwick City families to have Tim's name added to the memorial site.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, this year was the first year Tim's family were unable to be in-person at the ceremony. Yet, the unveiling still took place and Tim is now forever part of our Randwick City family.