Tania Mayfield expressed her sorrow for the hostages, their families and all who were involved.

“They’re  Aussies;  they are one of us,” she said.

“That’s why we did it.

“It’s to show that others around the world care.”

Ms Mayfield said she and her family were watching the updates on TV and had found out about the people who had died.

“I was wondering if the council were flying their flags at half-mast.”

 “Even though we didn’t know them we thought if we started laying flowers other people might follow our example and start.

“It shouldn’t have happened but we couldn’t stop it.”