The man credited with putting his own life on the line to save his workmates trapped in the Lindt Café Siege 11 years ago says his heart broke when two hateful terrorists killed 15 innocent people at Bondi Beach.
“I’ve had some flashbacks today,” Joel Herat reveals in an exclusive interview with Woman’s Day.
“It does bring it back to you, especially today being 11 years – it definitely does. This brings it right back into focus, more than ever for me. I’ve had some flashbacks, but today it’s not about me.
“It’s about the people who have been affected and their families and the people of Bondi. That’s primarily my thought process. Obviously, it’s a very, very tragic and dark day for Australia and people of Bondi.
Joel, 32, became a symbol of hope and inspiration on December 15, 2014, after he risked his own life to save others when deranged gunman Man Haron Monis held he and 17 his co-workers and customers hostage for 16 hours in the Martin Place café.
He helped five of his workmates, including pregnant close friend Harriette Denny, escape just before Monis shot dead his manager Tori Johnson, 34.
Police then stormed the building, killing Monis. Mum-of-three Katrina Dawson, 38, was tragically killed by police bullet fragments during those chaotic last moments.
This week flashbacks of that terrifying incident came back to haunt Joel when a terror was unleashed on Bondi Beach during a beautiful festival to mark the start of Jewish Hanukkah.
“I just hope they have a lot of support around them. I hope they are getting all their needs met, and I know the Australian people are behind them,” he says, adding that had plans to go to Bondi to pay his respects to the victims.
“I think time does heal wounds. It’s obviously not going to be right away. I don’t think this will be healed any time soon, but there’s definitely hope, there’s always hope. It’s not going to be immediate. It’s going to be a process.”
Joel knows only too well the sort of struggle that will confront survivors and their families after undergoing extensive counselling, suffering survivor’s guilt and grief at the loss of his close friend Tori.
But amid the awful pain, Joel also found love with one of his workmates, Eunice Estaris, 31, who helped with his healing process, before their friendship blossomed into something else – with the couple tying the knot last year.
Joel, who has recently started an electrical apprenticeship, says he also takes heart from the examples of heroism and community spirit displayed during the horrific attack at Bondi Beach.
“Whilst it was a very tragic and very sad day, on the other side of the coin, it goes to show there are still people out there willing to risk their own lives to protect innocent people,” he says.
Joel says his hope for a better world despite the horror and chaos that unfolded was reaffirmed after learning of Ahmed al-Ahmed’s incredible bravery in tackling and disarming one of the terrorists, before allegedly getting shot by his son.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the title of Australian of the Year,” he says.
