Sydney commemoration service remembers the Bali bombings 22 years later

A Bali bombing survivor has shared his story of recovery at a commemoration service in Sydney to mark 22 years since the tragedy that killed 88 Australians.

Ross McKean was in the Sari Club with a large group of family and friends to celebrate a birthday when a series of bombs detonated across the Indonesian island about 11pm on October 12, 2002.

Nine people from the group that travelled to Bali from Sydney’s eastern suburbs were killed in the bombing including Mr McKean’s wife, Lynn, and eldest daughter Marissa.

Mr McKean and his youngest daughter Kristy survived but were injured in the tragedy with Mr McKean requiring lifesaving care to treat burns and shrapnel wounds at a Bali hospital before he was flown to Australia for treatment.

At a commemorative service to mark the terror attacks on Saturday, Mr McKean said some people inside the Sari Club lost family, some lost friends, some were injured, while others had to deal with the emotions of being involved.

“I’m a Bali bombing survivor, and I’m one of the all of the above, there were nine from our group who were lost, my wife Lynn and my daughter Marissa among them,” he said.

“There were others severely injured, and some who got out suffering very little physical injury.

“Luckily, my daughter, Kristy here survived, and has been in my life, shining light while the journey has quietened down with time along the way, there have been times where it has been chaotic, painful, stressful and sometimes full of despair.”

Mr McKean told the crowd that he and his wife Lynn had worked hard for more than a decade to have a family, build a house and pay down their mortgage and it was time to celebrate and travel with the kids when they visited Bali.

“We didn’t get far after the bombing,” he said.

“I was transported back to Australia needing operations and skin grafts and spent time in the Concord Hospital burns unit.

“Kristy was only 12 at the time, and dealing with surviving the bombing and the loss of her mum and sister, but all along and through the following years, she showed determination and resilience and love.

“I was a single dad and her maturity helped immensely, we grew a special bond.”

He said the thing that hurt most from the tragedy was all the young people who lost their lives and never got to fulfil their dreams.

“We miss them dearly,” he said.

“The Bali bombings were the single greatest loss of Australian life due to terrorism.

“My feelings are that this day should always be remembered and commemorated to remind us and future generations of what can happen from terrorism if we drop our guard and get lulled into a false sense of security.

“As John Howard said, Australia will never forget.”

Eighty-eight white doves were released at the ceremony, as a symbol of peace and to pay tribute to the Australians who lost their lives, along with victims, survivors and first responders from around the world.

Randwick mayor Dylan Parker told crowd 20 Australians who died in the tragedy were from the local area.

Mayor Parker said he hoped the service provided some comfort to the people who lost loved ones in the tragedy and it helped them to remember their family and friends through stories and memories.

“Since that terrible day 22 years ago, our community has gathered around the survivors and the friends and families of those who lost their lives, to support them and to remember the lives lost,” he said.

“This weekend we will come together once more to commemorate all those impacted by the attack – those who lost loved ones, those who survived and those who grieve.

“The victims of these senseless attacks will never be forgotten.”

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