Port Stephens residents wanting to show their support to New Zealand following the deadly Christchurch attack now have the opportunity to do so.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For the next three weeks condolence books will be available at the Port's libraries and council administration building for residents to sign and share messages of support.
It comes after Ryan Palmer moved a Mayoral Minute at Tuesday night's council meeting to provide a means for the Port community to express their condolences to the people of New Zealand.
"Port Stephens has a closer tie to New Zealand now with direct flights there early this year and hopefully returning at the end of this year," Mayor Palmer told the Examiner.
"We have New Zealand citizens here in Port Stephens as well. We had one New Zealander here say that a lot of Australians say sorry to him around the tragedy that happened in Christchurch.
"We thought this was a good opportunity to strengthen our ties with New Zealand but also recognise that this is something that shouldn't come upon any community and if that was to happen here in Port Stephens we would be looking for as much support locally, nationally and around the world as possible.
"This [book] is a way we thought we could put forward an opportunity for the people of Port Stephens to grieve and to also support the families and friends of the victims in New Zealand."
Fifty people died and a further 50 people were injured in shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 15.
A 28-year-old Australian man, who has been described in national and international media reports as a white supremacist, was arrested and charged with murder following the shootings which occurred during Friday Prayers.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the attacks as one the countries "darkest days".
Cr Palmer put forward a Mayoral Minute at the March 26 council meeting to express the Port Stephens community's "deepest condolences" and to convey its "heartfelt sympathies for the families and friends coming to terms with their grief".
Condolence books were on Wednesday morning placed at Tomaree Library in Salamander Bay, Tilligerry Community Library in Lemon Tree Passage and the library and council administration building in Raymond Terrace for members of the community to sign.
They will be at these locations until Thursday, April 18.
"If residents would like to put a message of support in there for the city of Christchurch, families and friends they can come down and put whatever they would like in the book," Cr Palmer said.
RELATED READING