A memorial to honour the victims of the Lindt cafe siege has been unveiled at Sydney’s Martin Place during an emotional ceremony attended by their families and the survivors.
More than 200 handcrafted flowers in mirrored cubes have been inlaid into the pavement just metres from where the deadly siege unfolded three years ago, which claimed the lives of cafe manager Tori Johnson and barrister Katrina Dawson.
“No Australian will ever forget the heartbreaking events that unfolded at Martin Place three years ago. But none more so than the loved ones of Tori and Katrina – wonderful young Australians who were tragically killed by an act of evil and terror,” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told the audience, which included Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Ms Dawson’s daughter Chloe Smith and niece Samantha Dawson presented aqua hydrangeas to widower Paul Smith, while local school student Jack Tighe presented a bouquet of sunflowers to Mr Johnson’s partner Thomas Zinn.
The families, including the victims’ parents, then stepped up to view the floral tribute.
Soon, they were joined by many of the survivors and their supporters, who greeted each other with a loving embrace after viewing the 210 floral cubes that have been scattered in a starburst pattern.