Alexandra Ching, a lifelong inhabitant of Bondi, views the famous coast as her personal space. On a recent weekend evening, she, similar to other neighbors, detected loud noises echoing around the neighbourhood.
“That was the initial assumption, but I thought it was daylight and no one could see them,” Ching states. Exiting her residence, she observed people “streaming up Bondi Road”. The looks she saw signaled something was wrong.
Positioned on the avenue, speaking to a couple who had run up the hill still dripping wet, she became aware of someone approaching from behind. It was a lifeguard, running at full speed in the direction of Bondi without shoes from the neighbouring Tamarama beach – a distance of 1.5km – while transporting a life-saving kit.
“I caught a voice saying ‘excuse me’, and turning my head I only caught a glimpse of this flash of blue,” she recalls. “He was just flying past. He was alone running in the path that everyone was trying to get away from, carrying that large equipment and unshod … He’s running at something that surely every fibre in your being would signal you to go in the other direction.
“Without a second thought, but just totally pedal to the metal racing.”
The image taken by Ching of the lifeguard, now known to be Jackson Doolan, was widely shared as among numerous instances of courage in the following of the terror attack.
Andy Reid, a second beach safety officer, noted that Doolan, called “Jacko”, ran from Tamarama beach to support the remaining crew at Bondi, as well as to help surf lifesavers, police and paramedics attending to numerous the injured.
Doolan’s story was just one of many to emerge from the neighbourhood, with the beach facility adjacent to the location of the incident transforming into a impromptu hospital. Reports indicate that other team members were also seen helping out, including going into the ocean to rescue people who were struggling.
In the days after the events, statements of appreciation flooded in. An online statement shared gratitude for the individuals who demonstrated that “compassion will always triumph over darkness”.
The squad of beach patrol published a communication, noting they were “processing what occurred”.
“Our thanks go out to all for your thoughtful words and support. We are deeply moved by the compassion directed at our personnel,” the group commented. “In time, we will recount our experiences in the aim that it aids those involved.”
Waverley council, the governing body that hires many permanent lifeguards, stated that the staff rose to the occasion from the instant the violence began until late that evening.
“We have heard so many emotional accounts, but the popular picture of Jackson Doolan, sprinting from Tamarama to Bondi with a medical device so he could help assist the injured is extraordinary,” said a local official.
“Our lifeguards exhibit dedication every day in maintaining the safety of our world-famous coastlines secure for visitors, but what we observed on that day should be celebrated.
“During this time of sorrow and grapple with the atrocity of this heinous act of violence, I think it is important that we reflect on just how much positivity we have witnessed in the face of such darkness.”
