🔗 Share this article While Sunbathers Escaped Violence, Popular Photo Depicts Lifeguard Dashing ‘All Out’ To the Scene. Alexandra Ching, a lifelong local of Bondi, views the famous shoreline as her own backyard. On a recent weekend evening, she, along with numerous local residents, heard loud noises ringing out around the suburb. “We all thought the same, but I considered it was too light and you couldn't spot any lights,” Ching recounts. Exiting her apartment, she saw people “streaming up Bondi Road”. The faces they wore signaled something was wrong. While standing on the avenue, speaking to a pair who had run up the slope soaked, she heard someone moving up at her rear. This turned out to be a lifeguard, dashing in the direction of Bondi without shoes from the nearby Tamarama beach – a distance of 1.5km – while transporting a medical device. “I heard someone say ‘excuse me’, and turning my head I spotted this streak in blue,” Ching describes. “He was zooming past. He was the only one moving in the path that everyone was trying to get away from, carrying that big kit and without footwear … He moved at something that undoubtedly every instinct would tell you to move in the other direction. “Just no hesitation, but just completely full throttle sprinting.” A Symbol of Bravery In the Wake of Chaos The photo that Ching snapped of the rescuer, later named as Jackson Doolan, quickly spread as one of many moments of heroism in the following of the terror attack. Andy Reid, a second lifeguard, says that Doolan, referred to as “Jacko”, hurried from Tamarama beach to back up the rest of his team at Bondi, as well as to work with emergency personnel, officers and ambulance crews treating many those hurt. Community Response and Support Doolan’s story was a single example among several to come out of the community, with the beach facility beside the location of the violence transforming into a makeshift medical station. Reports indicate that other team members were also seen taking action, such as rushing into the ocean to assist people who were struggling. Following the tragedy, messages of gratitude circulated widely. One post shared appreciation for the lifeguards who showed that “kindness will always triumph over darkness”. The group of lifeguards issued a message, noting they were “coming to terms with what transpired”. “Our thanks go out to all for your supportive words and encouragement. We are deeply moved by the kindness shown towards our responders,” the group commented. “When ready, we will share our stories in the belief that it supports those affected.” Local Government Praise Waverley council, the local authority that oversees many full-time beach safety officers, stated that the team performed exceptionally from the moment the shooting began through to late that night. “We have heard so many emotional stories, but the viral photo of Jackson Doolan, sprinting from Tamarama to Bondi with a defibrillator so he could help save lives is incredible,” stated a mayor. “These individuals exhibit dedication every day in ensuring our world-famous beaches protected for visitors, but what we witnessed on that evening should be celebrated. “While we mourn and grapple with the horror of this heinous act of violence, I think it is crucial that we focus on just how much positivity we have seen in the presence of such hatred.”
Alexandra Ching, a lifelong local of Bondi, views the famous shoreline as her own backyard. On a recent weekend evening, she, along with numerous local residents, heard loud noises ringing out around the suburb. “We all thought the same, but I considered it was too light and you couldn't spot any lights,” Ching recounts. Exiting her apartment, she saw people “streaming up Bondi Road”. The faces they wore signaled something was wrong. While standing on the avenue, speaking to a pair who had run up the slope soaked, she heard someone moving up at her rear. This turned out to be a lifeguard, dashing in the direction of Bondi without shoes from the nearby Tamarama beach – a distance of 1.5km – while transporting a medical device. “I heard someone say ‘excuse me’, and turning my head I spotted this streak in blue,” Ching describes. “He was zooming past. He was the only one moving in the path that everyone was trying to get away from, carrying that big kit and without footwear … He moved at something that undoubtedly every instinct would tell you to move in the other direction. “Just no hesitation, but just completely full throttle sprinting.” A Symbol of Bravery In the Wake of Chaos The photo that Ching snapped of the rescuer, later named as Jackson Doolan, quickly spread as one of many moments of heroism in the following of the terror attack. Andy Reid, a second lifeguard, says that Doolan, referred to as “Jacko”, hurried from Tamarama beach to back up the rest of his team at Bondi, as well as to work with emergency personnel, officers and ambulance crews treating many those hurt. Community Response and Support Doolan’s story was a single example among several to come out of the community, with the beach facility beside the location of the violence transforming into a makeshift medical station. Reports indicate that other team members were also seen taking action, such as rushing into the ocean to assist people who were struggling. Following the tragedy, messages of gratitude circulated widely. One post shared appreciation for the lifeguards who showed that “kindness will always triumph over darkness”. The group of lifeguards issued a message, noting they were “coming to terms with what transpired”. “Our thanks go out to all for your supportive words and encouragement. We are deeply moved by the kindness shown towards our responders,” the group commented. “When ready, we will share our stories in the belief that it supports those affected.” Local Government Praise Waverley council, the local authority that oversees many full-time beach safety officers, stated that the team performed exceptionally from the moment the shooting began through to late that night. “We have heard so many emotional stories, but the viral photo of Jackson Doolan, sprinting from Tamarama to Bondi with a defibrillator so he could help save lives is incredible,” stated a mayor. “These individuals exhibit dedication every day in ensuring our world-famous beaches protected for visitors, but what we witnessed on that evening should be celebrated. “While we mourn and grapple with the horror of this heinous act of violence, I think it is crucial that we focus on just how much positivity we have seen in the presence of such hatred.”