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| Let there be lights: Senior Constable Craig Sharkie will one of many emergency service workers turning on their car lights on September 11. Picture: David Caird |
Posted on 08/29/2002 12:08:10 PM PDT by Kermit
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Shine on, Victoria
VICTORIANS are asked on September 11 to shine on as a mark of respect to the thousands who lost their lives.
The Herald Sun wants motorists to turn on their headlights at 8.47 on the morning of September 11 -- the moment in New York a year ago when the first hijacked passenger jet hit the World Trade Centre.
The tribute is the suggestion of school teacher Paul Gyulavary, whose twin brother Peter was one of 10 Australians killed in the tragedy.
"It would be a way of remembering all the victims," he told the Herald Sun.
Premier Steve Bracks and Police Commissioner Christine Nixon immediately backed the tribute.
Mr Bracks said all government and official cars, as well as State Emergency Service vehicles, would join the tribute.
Ms Nixon said the police fleet of more than 2000 vehicles would turn their headlights on.
There are more than 3 million registered vehicles in Victoria and hundreds of thousands will be on the road at 8.47am on Wednesday week.
"I ask all Victorians to stand as one and send another message of strength and unity to commemorate the anniversary of the attack," Mr Bracks said.
"Let's mark one of the darkest hours of our history with a symbol of light and hope.
"In a simple but powerful sign of support, I am asking all Victorians to turn on their headlights on September 11, whether you're on your way to work or taking the kids to school."
Ms Nixon described "Shine On" as a wonderful gesture of remembrance.
"There will be a lot of emotion and reflection on the day and this is a tremendous way to say, 'We haven't forgotten'," she said.
"Having just returned from New York, I can understand the emotion and heartache surrounding September 11."
Ten Australians are known to have died in the September 11 terrorist attack on America.
More than 3000 people from about 100 countries were killed that day.
Mr Bracks, recently returned from the US, said New Yorkers had told him of hearing the message of hope and spirit.
"They said the outpouring of support from around the world had inspired them to rebuild their city and their lives," he said.
Mr Bracks said there were few turning points in history that compared with September 11.
Nor, he said, would many forget the terror of that day, or the thousands who perished at the hands of unspeakable evil.
"As a nation we cried for the innocent men, women and children who died, and the police officers and firefighters who fell trying to save them," he said.
"As Victorians we mourned the loss of two of our own, Leanne Whiteside and Peter Gyulavary, who both worked in the World Trade Centre.
"But in the midst of our shock and grief, we joined hands with the rest of the world in a promise that good would triumph over evil."
Peter Gyulavary, 44, an environmental engineer, was on the 91st floor of the WTC South Tower when it collapsed.
Melbourne lawyer Leanne Whiteside, 31, was killed on just her second day at work in the South Tower.
In another mark of respect on the day, flags on all Red Cross buildings across Australia will be flown at half-mast in honour of Yvonne Kennedy.
A retired Red Cross worker, the Sydney widow was on the hijacked airliner that crashed into the Pentagon.
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