A vacant storefront on a bustling avenue in central Sydney appears deserted at first glance, with plastic coverings obscuring the windows and a padlock securing the entrance.

However, upon entering the space, visitors are surrounded by an array of items, including stuffed animals, candles, and inspirational notes written on large sheets of paper, creating a sense of warmth and community.

These items originated from a memorial established in response to the tragic event that occurred on 14 December at Bondi Beach, resulting in the loss of 15 lives.

When the Sydney Jewish Museum and the Australian Jewish Historical Society learned of the local council's plans to dismantle the memorial, they swiftly intervened to preserve its contents for posterity.

The items are now organized within taped-off sections on the floor of the shop, awaiting their next step in the preservation process.

A tribute featuring a collection of knitted and cuddly insects, including bees, serves as a poignant reminder of 10-year-old Matilda Bee, the youngest victim of the attack.

A separate display showcases a pile of deflated foil balloons, predominantly in the shape of bees, adding to the array of tributes.

The collection also includes a box of stones, a tradition among Jewish mourners who typically place stones on graves instead of flowers, as well as an assortment of flags, books, Christmas decorations, and a Barbie cracker.

For some families unable to attend the vigils in Bondi, visiting the tribute spaces has provided an alternative way to pay their respects.

According to Shannon Biederman, senior curator at the Sydney Jewish Museum, the quiet and intimate setting of the tribute space has had a profound impact on some visitors, who found the experience to be "really moving and meaningful" due to the sheer volume of tributes on display.

Visitors of all ages, including families, gathered at the flower space, where they participated in a flower pressing activity, alongside local artists and community members.

Shannon approaches the task of memorialising these items with great personal significance and care.

Shannon's family had planned to attend the Chanukah by the Sea festival, which was reportedly targeted by the alleged gunmen, but they decided not to go at the last minute.

The family also had a personal connection to one of the victims, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was among the 15 people killed.

As an employee of a Holocaust museum, Shannon has had to develop a way to process traumatic events, saying, "I've learned to compartmentalise, as the murder of Jews is, unfortunately, not unfamiliar to me."

The nature of this project is distinct for me, as my background lies in historical work, whereas this is a contemporary issue. As a museum of memory, we are currently grappling with the present, making it a unique challenge.

Following the attack, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the first to pay his respects by laying a bouquet at the Bondi Pavilion. In the days that followed, the outpouring of tributes expanded across the forecourt, with more people adding to the memorial.

The Bondi massacre marked Australia's deadliest mass shooting in nearly 30 years, sending shockwaves throughout the nation. The tragedy also sparked criticism of the government, with many arguing that it had failed to heed warnings from the community about the rising tide of antisemitism in recent years.

The community is now shifting its focus towards unity and healing, with many advocating for a permanent memorial to honor the victims. This sentiment reflects the desire to bring people together in the aftermath of the tragedy.

This Thursday, various landmarks across Australia will be illuminated, and a minute of silence will be observed to honor the victims of the attack. Additionally, Australians are being encouraged to perform acts of kindness, such as checking in on a neighbor or making a donation, as a way to foster unity and solidarity, in line with the Jewish tradition of mitzvah, following last month's tragedy.

The memorial's future remains uncertain, with several artists expressing interest in incorporating some of the materials into their work, pending a committee's final decision.

Beyond cataloging the toys and mementos, a more complex task arose: addressing the large quantity of flowers that had been left at the site.

A team of volunteers worked to conserve the substantial collection of flowers, totaling three tonnes, which were carefully placed in black bags and transported to a warehouse in North Sydney.

Nina Sanadze, a Melbourne-based Jewish artist who conceived the idea of preserving the flowers, oversaw the endeavor and described the experience as emotionally challenging.

Upon witnessing the flowers upon arrival, Nina Sanadze recounted, "They resembled 100 bodies, which was a shocking sight to behold."

Upon arrival at the warehouse, a large team of volunteers initiated the laborious task of suspending the items from metal fences, which had been hastily procured.

As an added precaution, volunteers donned masks to shield themselves from the substantial amount of airborne pollen.

Shannon expressed concern that the massive volume of flowers, combined with the gases they emitted, could potentially spark a compost fire, prompting volunteers to closely monitor temperatures and utilize fans.

According to Nina, the warehouse environment was oppressive, with an intense scent and humidity level, likening it to being enclosed within a perfume shop.

The influx of flowers continued unabated.

Following the council's decision to remove the large flower collection, the public continued to add to it, prompting Nina to organize nighttime collections by volunteers to prevent the flowers from being discarded.

The collected stalks are being repurposed as compost, which Nina is exploring ways to transform into functional items, such as furniture.

Nina has also preserved some of the rose buds that had begun to decay by drying them out, and then incorporated the remaining petals into a resin artwork.

Nina describes her spontaneous creation as a reflection of the complexities of the situation, saying, "It embodies both the beauty and the sadness, as well as the heartbreak and love, making it a narrative-driven piece rather than a flawless work of art."

For the volunteers involved in preserving the vast array of tributes at the site, the experience has been a therapeutic outlet, despite the emotional weight of the task.

The memorial's concept is still in its early stages, but Nina has already decided on a title for the project.

According to Nina, the title "Petal by Petal" reflects the meticulous process of preserving the memorial's materials, as well as her own gradual healing from the attack.

Nina acknowledges that her emotions have shifted during her time working on the memorial, saying she initially felt angry but now feels more at peace.

Nina's goal is for the final artworks and memorials to have a similar impact on the community, helping them to heal and move forward.

Nina believes that art has the power to bring people together and facilitate understanding, noting that flowers, in particular, are a universal symbol that transcends language barriers and can evoke emotions in people from all backgrounds.