Key Facts:
Islamic Ideology versus democracy, multiculturalism, freedom
Unity: A Week in the Life of Who We Are.
Hope. With my daughter, I celebrated the anniversary of 60 years of kidney transplant at the Prince of Wales Hospital. The dedication of the medical teams over decades has been inspiring. My daughter had a transplant in 2025.
Joy. The children's voices of the Sanskrit Choir at the Indian Consulate Sydney celebrated with dance, poetry, music of the 150 celebrations of the poetry of India's national anthem. Excited to be invited,
Warning. 'Fatal Feast' is an alert about Sepsis. Take 5 a weekly magazine reported my story to look out for symptoms. Rapid breathing, racing heart, disorientation, shivering, blood pressure dropping, slurred speech. It's about fighting infection. Everyone has to be aware of sepsis. Saves lives. (Page 65 https://take-5.pressreader.com/take5/20251218)
Tragedy. The terrorist murders at Bondi Beach by Sajid and Naveed Akram associated with ISIS in one of Australia's deadliest acts of terrorism. The tragedy of 16 innocent lives lost, 40 + injured including children—with stories of extraordinary bravery. The terror of the residents, visitors and Jewish community is a permanent scar on Sydney.
Rising Hope. The candles of the menorah on the wings of the Opera House. Churches opening their doors to Jewish people and everyone. Communities coming together. The hero of Sydney Syrian Muslim Australian Ahmed Al Ahmed disarmed Sajid Akram. The older Russian Jewish Australian couple who were murdered as they fought the terrorists. The young policemen who were gunned down by the terrorists and are now fighting for survival. The heroism of surf life savers, paramedics, police, families who protected children and the many people who stood up for each other.
The Future. Action. Urgent legislation. Unity. ASIO. Antisemitic legislation. Rejection of Islamic Ideology. Rejection of hate speech, hate symbols, hate advocacy. Political WILL - to draw the red line now.
What a week! It's left me confused, shattered, hopeful as we commit to AUSTRALIA as a multicultural, democratic and free nation.
Susanne Gervay OAM, journalist, children's and adult author https://sgervay.com
