Add CategoryTHE sun rose yesterday on a city gripped by shock and grief, and a single posy representing a sprig of hope in Martin Place.
As a day of tragic revelations wore on, the bare ground blossomed into a sea of flowers.
Distraught Sydneysiders, shell-shocked tourists and Australian dignitaries were drawn to the makeshift memorial, with tears in their eyes and bouquets in their arms.
An ordinary Australian man wearing a cap placed the posy at the scene. Source: News Corp Australia
Erin Costelloe was already en route with the same idea. Source: News Corp Australia
Kate Golder also arrived early to pay her respects. Source: News Corp Australia
Soon, the tributes were coming thick and fast. Source: Getty Images
One mother brought her daughter to honour the dead. Source: News Corp Australia
The sea of flowers grew, but the sheer magnitude of grief was yet to be seen. Source: News Corp Australia
Prayers and petals showered Martin Place as the day wore on. Source: News Corp Australia
The grief of locals and visitors was palpable. Source: News Corp Australia
Tears flowed, as it become clear the city was in mourning. Source: News Corp Australia
Representatives of the Muslim community laid flowers, expressing shock and sadness. Source: AFP
Anna Dunning, 12, places flowers with her brother Harry, 10, and cousin Tom, nine. Source: News Corp Australia
The very first bouquet was left before the daybreak, hours after the tragedy.
Many had a personal connection with the violent siege, in which 17 hostages were trapped for 17 nightmarish hours.
A group of Lindt cafe workers including hostages Elly Chen and Harriette Denny visited the scene of their ordeal, determined to pay their respects along with the rest of the city.
One poignant note left with a bunch of flowers addressed heroic Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson, who was killed as he tried to wrest the gun from Man Horan Monis: “Tori you’ve been the kindest manager I’ve ever had. Rest in paradise.â€
They left photos of Mr Johnson at the office Christmas party.
Crowds of office workers, families with children and international visitors queued patiently at city centre florists, with most selling out of stock by lunchtime.
The sea grew.
A field of flowers spreads through Martin Place. Source: News Corp Australia
A makeshift memorial site was established. Source: News Corp Australia
A notion cries together. Source: News Corp Australia
Hundreds visited from far and wide to remember the dead. Source: News Corp Australia
Religious leaders united at the beautiful scene around the exclusion zone. Source: News Corp Australia
The city is united by tragedy, the flowers symbolising hope. Source: News Corp Australia
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his wife Margie lay wreaths near the Lindt cafe. Source: AFP
New South Wales Premier Mike Baird in front of flowers. Source: Getty Images
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore expressed her deep sorrow. Source: News Corp Australia
“Two days worth of flowers I’ve sold in an hour. It’s unbelievable,†said florist George Lackerdas after selling out this morning.
Sydney has never seen such scenes, not even when the world grieved after 9/11.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his wife Margie, former prime minister John Howard, NSW and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore were among the politicians who joined the people to remember Mr Johnson and the other fatally shot hostage, lawyer Katrina Dawson.
NSW Premier Mike Baird said: “It’s almost as if a beating heart of the city has been put in place — that’s what those flowers represent.â€
Weeping Muslims said prayers for the dead, anxious to make it clear that the lone gunman did not represent them or their beliefs.
Condolence books were signed and tissues handed out at this colourful field of memories.
There was a universal feeling that this could have happened to any Australian, stopping for a morning coffee.
And along with it, there was a firm belief that Australians would not be beaten by an act of terror.
The public continued adding flowers, flags and notes to the wall around he exclusion zone well into last night. Source: News Corp Australia
The tributes signalled hope that Sydney will rise stronger than ever. Source: News Corp Australia
Australians came together to reflect and unite. Source: News Corp Australia
This is everyone’s tragedy. Source: News Corp Australia
The crowds kept arriving this morning. Source: News Corp Australia
A volunteer hands out tissues in the line of people waiting to lay flowers. Source: News Corp Australia
The queues of wellwishers are longer than ever. Source: News Corp Australia
Emotions are still high. Source: News Corp Australia
Grief stricken Lindt Chocolate workers lay flowers in Martin Place. Source: News Corp Australia
Australians are overwhelmed with sorrow, but determined to hope. Source: News Corp Australia
The sea of flowers will not stop growing. Source: Getty Images
The exclusion zone around Martin Place is set to reopen, and Australians are being encouraged to get back to their daily routines.
Lindt has reopened its office and manufacturing operations and stores in Melbourne.
CEO Stephen Loane said: “Lindt Australia continues to be devastated for the friends and families of the victims of the cafe incident and all affected staff and customers.
“We have also been overwhelmed by the messages of support from members of the public and remain deeply grateful.
“We believe it is right out of principle to stand up and get operational again as soon as possible, wherever our staff are comfortable to do so.
“We aim to reopen our Sydney cafes as soon as staff feel ready.â€
A spokesman from Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore’s office of said what would be done with the tributes was still under discussion, as wellwishers continued to make their pilgrimage.
“We’re having that conversation now,†he told news.com.au. “We will be guided by what is practical and by the stakeholders.â€
Well-wishers are adding their names to the condolence books. Source: News Corp Australia
Some of the notes were from people personally affected. Source: News Corp Australia
The City of Sydney intends to gather and save the notes. Source: Getty Images
“I’ll ride with you†has become the message of the a tragedy’s aftermath. Source: News Corp Australia
It is a symbol of unity and standing together against racism, hate and terror. Source: AFP
Social media users started a trend #savethenotes, calling for a book to be created. Source: AFP
Many are hoping for a memorial service to remember the victims. Source: News Corp Australia
The families will be consulted on their wishes. Source: News Corp Australia
Cafe manger Tori Johnson will be remembered as a hero. Source: News Corp Australia
Katrina Dawson was a “highly talented†lawyer and a mother of three. Source: News Corp Australia
Adults and children felt that this could have been them. Source: News Corp Australia
Local businesses and workers shared in the grief. Source: News Corp Australia
Tourists said their hearts were with Sydney. Source: News Corp Australia
Even the Prime Minister’s wife left a message, Source: News Corp Australia
It will be a hard Christmas for those linked to the tragedy. Source: News Corp Australia
This is how Australia grieves. Source: News Corp Australia
Hostage Hariette Denny with George Denny at the memorial. Source: News Corp Australia
Photos from the Lindt 2014 Christmas party placed by Harriette, who escaped after Mr Johnson’s brave act. Source: News Corp Australia
Grieving Lindt cafe workers, including a woman thought to be Elly Chen. Source: News Corp Australia
The Lord Mayor’s spokesman said the wishes of the families and the state government would be important in deciding what to do next with the makeshift memorial.
“It’s a bit early to say exactly when they will be removed and what we will do with them,†he added.
“We’re open to all good ideas.â€
Social media has been calling for the heartfelt notes placed on tributes to be collected and saved, and the mayor’s spokesman confirmed that this will be done.
Some suggested putting them in a book, and there is talk of a memorial service.
When Princess Diana died, the flowers were eventually composted and laid on the lawns.
The sea of flowers is still growing.
What do you think should be done with the notes, flowers and tributes? Have your say in the comments below.