15/12/2025
As the managing editor of a lifestyle publication rooted in community and connection, I feel compelled to speak from the heart.
LOCALE Magazine was created for locals and visitors across the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast. At our core, we are about community — supporting one another, staying connected, celebrating shared joys, and coming together in times of hardship.
Today, we stand in solidarity, love, and support with the Jewish community and the people of Bondi. We are heartbroken by the horror they have endured and deeply saddened by the immense loss of life caused by last night’s act of terror. Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and neighbours who are grieving during this unimaginable time.
Acts like this shake us all. They remind us that violence does not discriminate — it can happen in any community, anywhere. Yet even in moments of profound darkness, we also witness extraordinary humanity. We honour the everyday heroes — regular locals like Ahmed Al Ahmed — who stepped forward without hesitation, putting their own lives on the line to protect others. This is the very essence of community, and it is the hope we must carry forward, particularly during this time of Hanukkah.
This tragedy is deeply personal for many. Last night, a close friend and Bondi resident lost both of her neighbours. Other dear friends within the Jewish community continue to live with daily fear. Their pain is real, and it is shared.
Now, more than ever, we must stand together — in love, in compassion, and in unwavering support for one another. May we continue to choose unity over division, courage over fear, and community over isolation.
With love and solidarity,
Donna Rishton-Potter
Managing Editor, LOCALE Magazine
