A memorial to honour the victims of the Lindt cafe siege was unveiled at Sydney’s Martin Place on Saturday, during an emotional ceremony.
The families of cafe manager Tori Johnson and barrister Katrina Dawson, as well as fellow hostages, were present at the dedication, with the event marking the third anniversary of the tragedy.
More than 200 handcrafted flowers in mirrored cubes have been inlaid in the pavement just metres from where the deadly siege unfolded three years ago.
A memorial to honour the victims of the Lindt cafe siege, Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson, was unveiled at Sydney’s Martin Place on Saturday, during an emotional ceremony (Pictured is Ms Dawson’s daughter Chloe Smith and widow Paul Smith)
Marking the third anniversary of the tragedy, more than 200 handcrafted flowers in mirrored cubes have been inlaid into the pavement (Pictured is Mr Johnson’s partner Thomas Zinn receiving flowers)
Ms Dawson, 38, (left) and Mr Johnson, 33 (right) where killed during the siege by gunman Man Haron Monis on December 15-16, 2014
‘No Australian will ever forget the heartbreaking events that unfolded at Martin Place three years ago,’ NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told the audience, which included Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
‘But none more so than the loved ones of Tori and Katrina – wonderful young Australians who were tragically killed by an act of evil and terror.’
Mr Johnson, 33 and Ms Dawson, 38, where killed during the siege by gunman Man Haron Monis on December 15-16, 2014.
Ms Dawson’s daughter Chloe Smith and niece Samantha Dawson presented aqua hydrangeas to widower Paul Smith, while local school student Jack Tighe presented a bouquet of sunflowers to Mr Johnson’s partner Thomas Zinn.
The tribute has been placed just metres from where the deadly events unfolded, and where hundreds of thousands of flowers had been placed in solidarity
Each of the 210 cubes contains a coloured flower, with the box reflecting the sun during the day and being illuminated from above at night
Ms Dawson’s daughter Chloe Smith (pictured) and niece Samantha Dawson presented aqua hydrangeas to widower Paul Smith during the ceremony
The families, including the victims’ parents, then stepped up to view the floral tribute, before they were joined by survivors and supporters.
Survivor Louisa Hope said the memorial, which will illuminate at night, was a befitting way to remember the lives lost.
‘(It’s) a beautiful and a loving, fitting tribute to the two dear ones that we lost. What’s important is that the families are happy,’ she said.
The tribute, designed by Professor Richard Johnson and artist Jess Dare, was inspired by the sea of flowers that blanketed Martin Place following the 17-hour stand-off.
An estimated 110,000 bunches of flowers were placed at the site in the eight days after the siege.
The tribute, designed by Professor Richard Johnson and artist Jess Dare, was inspired by the sea of flowers that blanketed Martin Place following the 17-hour stand-off (pictured)
An estimated 110,000 bunches of flowers (some pictured) were placed at the site in the eight days after the siege
Each of the 210 cubes is arranged in a scattered, starburst pattern and contains a coloured flower, with the box reflecting the sun during the day.
‘This memorial draws strength from its beauty and simplicity,’ Ms Berejiklian said, according to Nine News.
‘It says more that we could do with words alone. It will indeed be a place to reflect.’
Eighteen people were taken hostage by Man Haron Monis when he walked into the cafe on the morning of Monday, December 15.
Police stormed the cafe at 2am the following day when Monis executed Mr Johnson. Ms Dawson, a mother of three, was fatally wounded by police bullet fragments.
The families, including the victims’ parents, stepped up to view the floral tribute, before they were joined by survivors and supporters
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy (pictured) were also present at the unveiling of a permanent memorial
The New South Wales governor, on behalf of the Governor-General, announced earlier on Saturday that Mr Johnson and Ms Dawson will be honoured under the Australian Bravery Decorations awards.
Mr Johnson will posthumously be awarded a Star of Courage, while Ms Dawson will be given a Bravery Medal.
‘We will always honour the incredible bravery and selflessness they showed to the very end,’ Ms Berejiklian said.
Earlier this year, the results of a long-running inquest into the siege were handed down with NSW Coroner Michael Barnes finding that police waited 10 minutes too long in storming the premises.