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AAP
AAP
National
Tom Wark and Allanah Sciberras

'Holy girl': moving service for Bondi's youngest victim

Community leader Alex Ryvchin carries a balloon at the funeral for 10-year-old Matilda. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

A primary school student killed by one of 100 bullets fired into a Jewish community festival has been remembered as a holy and happy girl.

Mourners were left grieving outside as friends and her deeply emotional family packed into a Sydney funeral house to pay tribute to 10-year-old Matilda, killed in the Bondi Beach massacre on Sunday.

Many wore stickers of bumblebees or carried yellow balloons, matching a large, stuffed bee toy adorning the girl's coffin.

The youngest victim of the Bondi attack would be remembered as a "holy girl" who died "for being Jewish", the rabbi leading the funeral said.

Matilda's mother and father Valentyna and Michael
Matilda's mother and father Valentyna and Michael leave after the funeral. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

"She doesn't just remain in our hearts ... she has to remain alive in our deeds," Rabbi Yehoram Ulman said.

A poem written specifically for the the youngster, titled 'Ode to Matilda', was read out by NSW Premier Chris Minns.

"Her spirit - like a swagman's - will never fade away," he said.

Attendees included Governor-General Sam Mostyn, federal Labor minister Tanya Plibersek and opposition leader Sussan Ley, who wiped away tears as she walked to the door.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not attend but told reporters in Canberra he had met with grieving families face-to-face each day.

Ten-year-old Matilda
Matilda has been remembered as a ray of sunshine and a happy child. (PR IMAGE PHOTO)

Matilda was remembered by her school as a "little ray of sunshine" who always brought joy to those around her, and by her aunt as "full of life and happy".

Jewish funerals do not traditionally take place in a synagogue, with both Matilda and Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman having their funeral services on Thursday in a centuries-old Sydney Jewish funeral house.

Chevra Kadisha has helped the Jewish community mourn its dead since 1817, including conducting Jewish funerals known as 'levaya'.

The service for 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Mr Kleytman was held earlier on Thursday morning at the funeral house.

His wife has remembered her Ukrainian-born husband for his resilience and courage after he moved to shield her from gunfire in his last moments.

The family of Reuven Morrison led his coffin in Melbourne
Reuven Morrison's family led his coffin to its final resting place in Melbourne on Thursday. (Jay Kogler/AAP PHOTOS)

Thousands of mourners later gathered in Melbourne's southeast for the funeral of Reuven Morrison, who was killed moments after throwing a brick at one of the shooters.

The 62-year-old grandfather was remembered as a hero of truth, a man who stepped forward instinctively to protect and shield others from gunfire.

He was described as a master of language, an inspirational figure, and a dedicated community member who persevered through life after immigrating from the Soviet Union in search of a better future.

There was not an empty seat the service, with many standing at the back to pay their respects.

Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram who died at the scene, are accused of using long-arm guns to fire at a crowd of people on Sunday night.

Mourners embrace after laying Reuven Morrison to rest in Melbourne
Mourners embraced after laying to rest Reuven Morrison, who threw a brick at one of the shooters. (Jay Kogler/AAP PHOTOS)


Fifteen people were killed during the shooting, that left dozens injured. 

Naveed was charged on Wednesday with 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

He did not appear or apply for bail during a brief court hearing and the case was adjourned until April.

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