'Hundreds' expected to descend on new Bondi support hub

Published 2 hours ago
Source: 9news.com.au
'Hundreds' expected to descend on new Bondi support hub

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has announced the opening of a Bondi Community Hub to offer support to all those affected by the terror attack just over two weeks ago.

The hub will be open to all those affected in the community, both directly and indirectly, including those wounded or targeted during the Chanukah celebration attack, paramedics, and others suffering trauma.

"You can get access to emergency care, emergency counselling, or financial help and advice in this most difficult of times," Minns said.

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The hub is currently slated to be open until the end of January, but there is a possibility to extend that timeframe.

"We anticipate that there's hundreds of people that have effectively been directly affected by this terrorism event and they may need help and in fact, if they don't know that they need help today, they might discover it in the new year that they're desperately in need of help," Minns said.

"Someone to talk to, some counselling, some advice, someone to hold their hand during this difficult period."

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The hub is located at Bondi Pavilion, near the site of the attack - a location Minns conceded some might find uncomfortable.

But he urged people who found themselves unable to attend in person to send a friend down on their behalf, or contact the hub to have somebody meet them elsewhere.

"It's not mandatory that you're on site. We're just bringing all the services together so that it's in one spot," Minns said.

"But it may well be the case that you need to meet either in your home or a local cafe or restaurant. We will make that happen for you."

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There will also be onsite kosher catering, and Rabbi Yehoram Ulman visited the hub this morning to bless it and ensure it operated in a kosher way, Minns said.

Resources on site include representatives of the Reconstruction Authority, Service New South Wales, Multicultural New South Wales, and Legal Aid.

The Jewish Board of Deputies has been heavily involved in the hub's creation, Minns said.

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