Sydney has welcomed the New Year with a message of peace following the Bondi Beach mass shooting, as huge crowds gathered to watch the city's annual fireworks display.
The words peace and unity were projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as thousands of heavily armed police officers patrolled the streets - a rare and stark sight in Australia - as part of heightened security measures.
New South Wales (NSW) Police said more than 2,500 officers were on duty across the city, and some officers were authorised to carry high-grade weapons.
The attack on 14 December targeted Australia's Jewish community and killed 15 people at a Hanukkah festival.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge was lit up by a white light to symbolise peace, and a Jewish menorah was projected onto the pylons of the bridge to show solidarity with the Jewish community.
Official New Year's Eve parties were paused at 11:00 PM local time (12:00 GMT) for a minute's silence to commemorate the victims of the attack.
Pictures from Sydney Harbour - where thousands gather every year to watch the famous fireworks display - showed officers patrolling the crowds with longarm weapons.
Premier Chris Minns had warned that some people may find the sight 'confronting', with police 'carrying firearms and weapons that you haven't seen before'.
'But I don't make any apology for that. We want people to be safe in our community,' he added.
British tourists Joe and Lucy expressed reassurance from the increased police presence during their visit, acknowledging their initial worries about attending the New Year celebrations.
Separately, Minns had urged the community not to let the 'horrible criminal terrorist event' at Bondi change their way of life, encouraging them to 'show defiance' and celebrate the New Year with joy.
As large crowds flocked to the harbor, a spirit of resilience and determination prevailed among the attendees, emphasizing the importance of unity and peace in the face of adversity.
