The parents of 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest victim of the Bondi terror attack targeting Sydney’s Jewish community, have spoken publicly for the first time since her death.
The young girl was tragically killed when two shooters opened fire at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration on Bondi Beach marking the first day of Hanukkah.
Matilda, a former student of the Harmony Russian School at Bellevue Hill, was among the 15 people shot dead. The incident has officially been declared a terrorist attack and is Australia’s worst mass shooting in 29 years.
Matilda’s parents speak out
Matilda’s parents Michael and Valentyna, who immigrated to Australia from Ukraine over a decade ago, paid tribute to their 10-year-old daughter during a candlelit vigil at Bondi Pavilion on Tuesday night.
Michael said he “didn’t expect to say anything” and choked back tears as he addressed the crowd.
“I named her Matilda because she was our first Australian. We came here from Ukraine and Matilda was my firstborn in Australia and I thought that Matilda is the most Australian name that could ever exist.
“So just remember… remember the name. Remember her.”
Matilda’s mum Valentyna then spoke to the crowd of more than 1000 people as Michael held a framed photo of their daughter.
“I brought from Ukraine my oldest son and I was so happy that he’s not there right now. He’s not fighting for his land and he’s safe here,” she said through tears.
“And I couldn’t imagine I would lose my daughter here. It’s just a nightmare.”
Matilda’s oldest brother also gave an emotional speech, telling the crowd that his 10-year-old sister “knew she was loved”.
“The one thing that brings me comfort now is that whenever I would ask Matilda if she knew that I loved her, she would immediately say yes,” he said.
Matilda’s school shares a statement
Matilda’s school released a statement this week sharing “beautiful memories” of their “little ray of sunshine”.
“She is genuinely the most kind, caring, and compassionate young girl, who brightened everyone’s day with her radiant smile and infectious laugh,” the school said in a statement.
“We all have so many beautiful memories of her — from choreographing dances on the playground to KPop Demon Hunters, losing her glasses that were actually on her head, to facing her fears and bravely presenting her speech in front of her classmates, Matilda has a strength and joy for life that we will always cherish and remember.”
Matilda’s aunt Lina spoke to ABC News on behalf of the family on Monday and described Matilda as “just a happy kid” who loved school and had many friends. She also said Matilda’s younger sister Summer was struggling to cope with the loss since “they were like twins” and had never been separated.
“She’s in absolute shock and stress, she’s missing her sister badly, she was lucky she didn’t get any injuries, but her mental state now,” she said. “Imagine you see your beautiful little sister that you love just being killed in front of you.”
GoFundMe raises over $600,000
Matilda’s language teacher, Irina Goodhew, launched a GoFundMe page on Monday morning for Matilda’s mother that raised over $35,000 in the first four hours.
“I was Matilda’s language teacher, and I knew her as a bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her,” she wrote in the description. “Yesterday, while celebrating Hanukkah, her young life was tragically taken. Her memory will live on in our hearts.”
The GoFundMe page has since raised over $640,000 in two days, with more than 11,700 people donating money.
The post Parents Of 10 Y.O. Matilda Who Died In Bondi Attack Break Down At Vigil: ‘Nightmare’ appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
