A week after the terrible Christchurch massacre where 50 people died in mosque attacks, Mount Isa's community rallied around at a memorial service.
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Around 200 people came at 24 hours notice to the Lumen Christi Centre at Good Shepherd Catholic College to remember victims and to offer support to Mount Isa's own Muslim and Polynesian communities.
In the darkness there is always light
- Fr Mick Lowcock
Fr Mick Lowcock conducted the service and they laid down five Muslim prayer mats to symbolise the 50 victims of the massacre and five candles were laid next to them.
"This is to remind us that in the darkness there is always light and there is always hope," Fr Mick said.
Local Muslims led a prayer call and there were also a hymn from the Polynesian community.
Member for Traeger Robbie Katter said the events of Christchurch were a terrible loss which caused shock in all communities including our own.
"What makes it more relevant for us is that it was caused by insecurities and fears that perhaps reside in us at any level," Mr Katter said.
"Such confronting violence shocks us and makes us ask what we can do as as a community and what it means to us."
Attendees laid candles, flowers and leaves before offering condolences to local members of the Muslim and Polynesian communities.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
