Councils across NSW are being encouraged to continue to provide direct support for the Waverley community in the wake of December’s devastating terrorist attack at Bondi while Waverley has paid tribute to one of heroes of the day.
Local Government NSW president Darcy Byrne said
in the aftermath of the atrocity, councils from across the State reached out to show their solidarity, highlighted by a moving joint laying of tributes on Thursday 18 December that brought together Mayors from as far away as Orange, the Tweed and Kiama.
Mayor Byrne is now encouraging Councils to turn that symbolic support into practical assistance by donating directly to the recovery effort in the Waverley community.
“I’ve been completely blown away by the compassion and solidarity expressed by Mayors and Councillors across the state for the community of Bondi and Waverley Council” Mayor Byrne said.
“As councils are now about to start meeting for the first time since the attack, many of their leaders have asked us how they can provide some practical assistance to our friends in Waverley.”
“We are well advanced in identifying with Waverley the best way for councils across the state to donate to the local community recovery and we’ll have confirmed information about how to do that within the first weeks of February.”
Waverley Mayor Cr Will Nemesh expressed his gratitude to councils across the state for their support since the attacks in December.
“The outpouring of support and solidarity shown by Mayors and Councils across
Australia has been incredibly moving and greatly appreciated,” Cr Nemesh said.
“We are so thankful for those who have sent messages and provided both moral and
practical support. It has meant so much to us.
“This has been an incredibly challenging time, but Waverley is a strong and resilient
community. We are united in our determination not to live in fear.”
Mayor Nemesh and Mayor Byrne have filmed a joint message thanking councils for their support and solidarity.
LGNSW will continue to assist Waverley Council’s consideration of appropriate methods of support and will then contact all councils to advise on the next steps forward when possible.
Meanwhile Waverley has been honouring those who helped during the Bondi terror attack with young Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff, 20, the first to be honoured for his “incredible bravery and selflessness” at a ceremony on Tuesday 3 February where he received the Key to the City and a special lifetime beach parking permit.
“Rabbi Lazaroff was assisting the late Rabbi Eli Schlanger at the Chanukah event, when he rushed to help critically wounded NSW Police Constable Scott Dyson, using his own shirt to stem the bleeding,” Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh said.
“While he was bravely helping the officer, Leibel himself was shot and seriously injured.
“The entire Waverley community is incredibly thankful to Leibel, and these gestures symbolise a token of our never-ending gratitude.”
At an extraordinary meeting of Council in January, a Mayoral Minute detailing various measures to acknowledge the courage of all those who put their lives on the line on 14 December was passed unanimously.
“Ahmed al-Ahmed and Gefen Bitton will also be presented with a ‘Key to the City’ and a lifetime Waverley Beach Pass in recognition of their bravery,” Cr Nemesh said.
Mr al-Ahmed, 43, wrestled a gun from one of the alleged shooters as attendees at the Chanukah by the Sea event were being targeted, slowing down the attack and undoubtedly saving countless lives.
Mr Bitton, 30, ran to Mr al-Ahmed’s aide and then also confronted the alleged gunman in a bid to end his reign of terror.
Meanwhile Ahmed Al Ahmed has already received the Key to the City of Canterbury Bankstown as part of its 2026 Australia Day Awards.
In a special recognition from the City, Ahmed became the first ever recipient of the Key to the City, and named the Local Hero of the Year, for his selfless act of bravery during the Bondi attack on 14 December 2025, and his efforts to promote unity.
“It’s an honour to receive this award on Australia Day – it’s very meaningful to me,” Ahmed said.
“I’ve had three operations, two bullets still in my arm and in great pain but I’m strong and I’m going to recover as quickly as I can.”
“What made me do what I did? Humanity – we’re all human beings and we’re all Australians.”
