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Lindt Cafe victims remembered at memorial

Hundreds of people have gathered with politicians, emergency services workers and survivors of the Lindt Cafe siege to mark one year since the tragedy.

Members of the public during the Lindt Cafe siege memorial
Hundreds of people have gathered to mark the one year anniversary since the Lindt Cafe tragedy. (AAP)

Lindt Cafe manager Tori Johnson and barrister Katrina Dawson have been remembered with moving musical tributes at a memorial marking the first anniversary of the fatal Lindt Cafe siege.

The Ascham Chamber Choir sung Somewhere Over The Rainbow in honour of Ms Dawson and one of Mr Johnson's favourite numbers, Melodramma, was performed.

Survivors Louisa Hope, Marcia Mikhael, Jarrod Hoffman and Selina Win Pe sat sombrely with emergency service representatives, religious leaders and state and federal politicians, including Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, during the hour-long memorial at Martin Place.

Hundreds of others gathered in the cool night air, taking up vantage points across Martin Place.

Rain looked set to sour the event, but stopped just as the VIP section was filled and the stage illuminated.

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"The power of a community memorial is to remind each of us that love is greater than hate," Mr Turnbull said during a brief speech.

NSW Premier Mike Baird said he would always remember how the city and state responded to the tragedy.

"Something remarkable happened as we came alongside the families and all of those who endured the ordeal," he said.

"As a city we were drawn to Martin Place.

"We came in shock and in sorrow but every step we took was with purpose."

Following the speeches images of the massive floral tribute, which grew steadily during the days following the siege, were projected upon the building where the cafe is located.

Messages of hope, solidarity, grief and mourning were also displayed, the crowd silently tracking giant letters as they moved over the polished stone of Martin Place.

The projections will run until Saturday.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



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