Port Arthur marks 30 years since massacre

0:00Well, tomorrow will mark 30 years since the Port Arthur massacre, Australia's deadliest shooting by a single person. Mike Amore joins me live from the Historical Site in Tasmania. Mike, a private service will be held there tomorrow. Yes, Chris, that's right. And it's proof three decades on that time doesn't heal all wounds. A lot of thought has gone into tomorrow. They're calling it words of love a day of quiet reflection. It will be private because the organisers recognise that the survivors and people who lost loved ones here come here with different memories, different grief, different needs. At one o'clock they will gather in the Memorial Garden, which was built around the remnants of the Broad Arrow Cafe, where 20 people were gunned down in the space of just 90 seconds. They will hear from a survivor and a local resident. And then at one thirty a minute silence will be held to mark the time that the shooting began. Reads will be laid at a hue and pine cross that carries the names of all thirty five victims.

1:04This place has seen a lot of grief, Chris, no doubt tomorrow will again be filled with emotion. Mike, I recall you were there at the time on that assignment. You've had a chance to speak to some of the survivors as well. What do they want Australians to know on this anniversary? I was here all those years ago and we have been speaking to survivors. It's a difficult conversation. They say it was a split second that for them has lasted a lifetime. We spoke to Kathy Gordon, who was in the Broad Arrow Cafe just left before the shooting began. She's always struggled after seeing the brutal murder of Nanette Miakak and her two gorgeous daughters. She also had a shot fired at her. She has since struggled with PTSD, had thoughts of taking her own life. And has at times been homeless, but she has now learned to live alongside that grief. We also spoke to Anita Bingham, who was just seventeen. She was working in the local tea house when the shots rang out like a lot of people here. She thought it was part of a reenactment, was initially drawn outside, but later huddled

2:04inside. She only recently had a nightmare about being chased by the government. They're speaking out bravely because they don't want Australians to forget the lessons of that terrible day, Chris. It feels such difficult memories. All right, Miakak, more live for us at Port Arthur's afternoon. Thank you for that.