26 Comments
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Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

Well done dear Prue. Beautifully put. And thank you for the music. It brought tears to my eyes. Wishing peace and love for all. 🤗🤗

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prue batten's avatar

Thanks Beth. Hard to believe that this happened in our Australia.

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Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

All it takes is one or two mentally unstable people unfortunately. And the world is full of them. Sigh…

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Sue Sutherland-Wood's avatar

I have been thinking of you Prue ever since we heard that news. Terrible - and shocking. I will not be sorry to see the back of this year :( Sending love.

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prue batten's avatar

It is hard to think that my own beaches here in Tassie have so few folk on them and are such blessedly innocent spaces. Yes, 2025 won’t be missed.

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Joanne Tracey's avatar

I never thought the day would come where hatred of that level came to our shores. Literally. I haven't seen that Sydney Run Club video, so thanks for posting it.

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prue batten's avatar

Jo, it’s a gutting feeling, isn't it? As with Port Arthur, innocence stripped bare.

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Denyse Whelan B.Ed M.Ed 🇦🇺's avatar

Thank you Prue, it's been a shock to our collective systems for sure. And I have no answers... sigh. I too am sad.

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prue batten's avatar

It’s difficult to compute, especially for a Sydney-sider like yourself. To be cliched, ‘We are Australian.'

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Denyse Whelan B.Ed M.Ed 🇦🇺's avatar

1000%.... and whilst it's not an area I've spent much time in (Northern Beaches gal!) I know of many for whom it is home & they are Jewish. It's something I'm learning more about from Mia Freedman (founder of MamaMia) on a podcast made on Monday ...

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prue batten's avatar

She is a good writer, broadcaster.

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Denyse Whelan B.Ed M.Ed 🇦🇺's avatar

I just finished listening to & Mia quoted that there are only around 100,000 Jewish people living in Australia..

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prue batten's avatar

As Gillian Polack, esteemed Australian historical fiction and fantasy writer said on Facebook earlier, it’s quite a small population, but one that has played a significant part in the development of Australia since 1788.

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Libby's avatar

Its absolutely heartbreaking such evil people to do such a thing. There is a lot of antisemitism in London especially and there is no need for it. Why can't people just live there lives without this hatred.

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prue batten's avatar

My biggest hope, Libby, is that the federal government bring in new and all-encompassing ‘hate crime’ laws which don't just cover anti-semitism but also hateful action towards any group or individual of any persuasion. It’s what Tasmania did last week and something of which I’m proud as a Tasmanian.

That said, as one former PM said today, no amount of police presence or government legislation is going to stop the lone antagonist with deadly purpose. Sad but true… Maybe that’s where even more stringent weapon legislation comes in. Not just guns, but any sort of weapon designed to maim or kill.

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Susan Baker's avatar

I know that a single candle can illuminate a dark room but these killings fueled by hate and dangerous rhetoric are a darkness that attempts to snuff out light. So much sadness, so much despair, so much devastation. Wishing for healing and wholeness

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prue batten's avatar

If only we could just get on with each other!

But it's human nature and millenia of the human condition shows we never learn...

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

I'm so sorry, Prue. It's top of mind for me, too. Your words are well chosen and affirming. How I wish they weren't necessary. Hugs to you...you all...us all.

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prue batten's avatar

So sad for my nation. If it prompts anti-hate legislation and even more stringent gun laws, it will be something positive to come from something so terrible.

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Maree's avatar

Well said Prue. Sure ch sadness.🕯 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🕯

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prue batten's avatar

XXXX

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Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

There is so much bad news worldwide it's truly stunning, saddening, maddening and what happens next? J

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prue batten's avatar

I think we just have to do what we can to help those in need and to truly believe that in the end, some kind of goodness prevails.

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Janice Walton's avatar

Hi Prue, My heart goes out to you, and everyone in Australia - this tragedy never should have been.

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prue batten's avatar

Something good must come out of it, for the sake of those grieving.

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Susan Colleen Browne's avatar

Thank you for this, Prue. I join you and your fellow Australians in mourning. May your beloved beaches in Tasmania stay “blessedly innocent spaces.”

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