Monash Clayton Campus Incident

Messages of support from alumni and friends

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My deep condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured in the shooting.
Diana Sari (GradDipIntBus 1997, MMgt 1998) Bandung - Indonesia 

I am speechless at the tragic incident and the terrible loss of life at the university campus. It is saddening to the utmost degree and wish to offer my sincere condolences to everyone affected by it. There is nothing that can replace a person and it remains for us grieve in dignity and try to show everyone that peacefulness, non-violence and altruism goes a lot further than a handful of bullets can ever fly. I pray that peace fills your heart inside and comfort you in these difficult times.
Andreas Alois Aigner (PhDSci 2002)

Monash University was my home away from home for many years. To think that I have such happy and fond memories of walking the corridors where such a tragedy has occurred. I know that the Monash community has been shocked by this event, and I offer my condolences to the families of those who lost love ones at such a young age, and wish the injured a safe and speedy recovery. Monash is a wonderful University, it is such a shame to have such a horrible event, within it's boundaries. 
Melissa Halstead (BComp 1999)

It is very tragic that the stress of education can create a person to become so distress as to take other people's life in their hands. My condolences goes to the family & relatives of the 2 students who died.
Wai-Kim Wong (BEc 1984) 
Singapore

I was a student at Monash in the '70's. Occasionally I still visit the Clayton Campus. As I did a B.A. all my tutorials where held in the Ming Wing. My thoughts are with all that this tragedy has touched, both on campus and off. 
Laurie Krauss (BA 1976)

My deepest condolences to the family who have lost their loved ones. May God keep them in peace and be with them always.
Shanker Sivaram (BBus 2000)

Dear Monash University Community,

The senseless tragic events that carnage of defenceless lives and injured others deeply shocked us. This is the difficult point in time for the families of the victims and for the Monash University Community members at large. Our sincere condolences and deep sympathy to the families who lost their relatives. May Lord bless them and give strength to them and Monash University administration to overcome this situation. Please extend our regards to Prof. Brett Inder and others for their courageous and heroic role to settle this tragedy. 

May Lord bless Monash University for her continued success.
Shahidur Rahman (PhDBusEco 1993) Singapore

I send my deepest sympathies to the families of those who were killed at Monash on Monday incident. My thoughts are with all students and staff affected by that tragedy.
Eranga Alwis (BCom(Acc&Fin) 2001) 

Sending my sincere condolences to the victim's family and friends. It was such an unfortunate incident that every Monash student will never forget. May God bless everyone and may there be PEACE on earth.
Iris Tan (BBus 1996,) Singapore

Our deepest sympathy and sincere condolences go to all those affected by the  recent awful events that have taken place at the University. 
Julien Uyttenhove (BSc 1980, BA/LLB 1998) & Michelle McFadden 

I was told about the shooting incident at the Menzies Building only last night and felt compelled to write you this note to convey my deepest regret and sympathies on what happened last Monday. My eight-year-long association with Monash University (Clayton Campus) brought much happy memories and it is unfortunate that such an incident took place amongst innocent people. Having spent a number of years in the Menzies Building myself, I am totally shocked since my own Economics and Econometrics tutorials have always been held in good spirits and I cannot imagine something like that would happen. 

I will be following developments closely via the news and Monash's website from here on and hope that those injured have a speedy recovery and the perpetrator dealt with accordingly. 

If you have the opportunity, please offer my condolences to the victims and their families; they will all be in my prayers. Despite this terrible tragedy, I still believe that Monash University Clayton Campus is still a great place to study and pray that time will heal all wounds.

Best regards and God Bless,
Justine Chew Bee Ling (LLB 1994, BEc 1995, GradDipBusSys 1996, MBusSys 1997)

To those in Malaysia and to those in Australia,

I would like to extend my condolences in light of the tragic events that happened in Clayton. As a former student in the vibrant campus of Clayton, Monash University (Class of 2001), I was shocked to read in the headlines of this event. Although I have heard of it much earlier, I did not realize the shooting had occurred in the Menzies building of my beloved alma mater (if I am using this term appropriately).

I have read from reports that 2 students had passed away in this incident and would like to offer their families my condolences, in particular if they were International Students because I was an international student in Clayton myself. I would appreciate it if anyone could maybe forward my email to these unfortunate families.

I would also like to pledge my support behind Monash University because in the two years I have been there, I have seen nothing but safety around its campus. This is, in my opinion, something unprecedented and not due to any fault of the University. My experience in Monash University, both locally (Malaysia) and abroad (Aust) was nothing short of a fantastic life experience.

Again, my heartfelt condolences.
Edwin Fua (BCom(Acc&Fin) 2001)

It was very sad and shocking to hear about this in Singapore. To the families of fellow alumni who suffered from this tragic event, our hearts and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

Our deepest condolences to families of the victims and strength to find comfort during this time.  Wishing a speedy recovery to those who were injured and are in hospital. 
Judith Craiu (BBus 2002)

With deepest regret for those suffered from the incident and sincerely hope Monash's students can recover soon.
K Y Tang, (BBus 1995)

Dear Monash Staff, Students, Alumni and Friends,

In the wake of this tragedy, I'd like to urge you all to think about how Australia can better control the number of guns in our community. There is no good reason why hand guns, such as those used in the Monash incident should be available to individuals, licensed or not. There is simply no need - and time and time again, guns are the weapon of choice for "unhappy" members of our society to rapidly and easily inflict massive pain and substantial loss of life on others.

We must address this issue by having tighter gun regulations and better implementation of such controls. I for one would certainly like to add my name to a petition of Monash staff, students, alumni and friends requesting government action. Let's use this tragic event in the same way that positive actions occurred following the terrible Port Arthur shootings in Tasmania. And maybe other parts of the world (like the US) may one day follow our example. 

Other measures must of course also be put in place to help "unhappy" members of our community find alternative ways of expressing their dissatisfaction / anger, etc., and indeed to address the underlying problems, but first, let's take an easy step, and remove the weapons from their grasp.

My condolences to the families who lost loved ones and to those injured.
Edward W. Smith (BBusSys 1991) 
Beijing

I'm truly shocked as Monash has always been linked with sweet memories to me all these years!

Please send my deepest condolences to the family. God Bless to all the students and staff.
Kim Wong (BComp(Info Sys) 1995)

The Monash University Alumni Association (Singapore) deplores the violence, the loss of life and the injuries caused by this terrible incident. We wish to express our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and our support to the survivors and those who love them. All Monash Alumni in Singapore stand together with Vice-Chancellor Peter Darvall, the University Administration and the larger Monash community in Australia and around the world during this difficult time.
Shun Ping LIM (MBBS 1970, PhD Med 1982)
President, MUAAS

I am filled with dismay and grief at the news, having been a student who regularly attended lectures and tutorials in that great green giant it certainly brings an eerie chill to the memory of the place now. One can't help but wonder where all this is going to lead.

Please convey my heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured victims themselves. 
Dominic Natoli (BEc 1979, LLB 1981)

My thoughts are with all of you, rest in peace from now on. 

With my deepest sympathy
May Ruktaetrakul (BA 1999)

Why did God allow a loved one to die?

To force us to consider eternity
To give us an opportunity to witness
To remind us the brevity of life
To motivate us to have a clear conscience
To appreciate those who are living
To comfort others who are sorrowing
To better understand God's love
To re-evaluate our priorities.

(taken from The Power Behind Anger Resolution, Understanding Why God Lets Things Happen)
Dr David Eu (MBBS 1999)

What happened at Monash on October 21 could happen to anyone and it happened to us. There is no need to look over our shoulders, to dramatise, to instil fear, suspicion or hatred. Let's go on living the way we have been living.

Let's pray for the two colleagues who died. Let's rejoice for those who were saved. Let's send our message of hope and goodwill to the families and friends of all those affected and to Huan Yun Xiang and his mother and their families and friends.

And let's forgive so we'll not forget our colleague Huan Yun Xiang.
Prapa Smutkojon ( BEc 1967)
Bangkok, Thailand 

It seems impossible to make really appropriate comments in the face of such a terrible occurrence. However, if you and all who were on the campus at the time can gain anything from the fact that you are in the thoughts of those of us who were elsewhere, then please accept that this was true at the time the incident was reported - and since that time. 
John Pittendrich (BA 1966, DipEd 1967, MTESOL 2000)

I am presently tutoring classes at Monash - Clayton and am sure that the students and staff would appreciate some words of comfort at this time. 
Robyn Cochrane (BBus (Mgt) 1996)

Please convey my condolences to family and friends of the students who were tragically shot at Monash last Monday. I am at present on assignment in Assam, north east India. News of the shooting has been carried in all the media over here. Every where I go people raise the topic with me.
Michael Lynch

To those affected by the Monash shooting I would like to offer my deepest sympathy. It was very courageous of all concerned to so quickly return to study and teaching. That is the only path forward, and I think it was brave of everyone to do so. I wish you a sound recovery in your mind and spirit. 
Elaine Jenyns (BA (Hons) 1971, BEdSt 1979)

As a graduate and former member of the teaching staff at Monash in  Clayton, I would like to extend my condolences to the family of the  victims of last week's horrible shootings, and my long-distance support to the survivors of that incident.
Rob Schackne (BA (Hons) 1989)

My condolences to the family and friends of the innocent victims of this tragic event. I send my deepest sympathies to the families of those who died and wish the speedy recovery of those who were injured. 
Denzil Wilson (BEd 1997, BTeach (Prim) 1997, MTESOL 1999)

I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the families of the victims as well as a speedy recovery to those who were injured in the shocking violence which took place at Monash. 
Jonathan Edelstein (BEc 1988, LLB 1990)
Israel 

Our family was deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic event. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies, heartfelt sorrows and condolences to the bereaved families and relatives, and to extend our thoughts and prayers to the injured and the staff and students affected by this tragedy.
Mr & Mrs A P Yong and Family  
(Yong Pik Chin BEc 1991, MBusSys 1994
Yong Cher Vee BSc 1994
Yong Pik Shan BCom 1999, MBusSys 2000 )
Malaysia

Please accept my sympathy and support, and the good wishes of all your colleagues at Macquarie University. The shootings at Monash were tragic and shocking. The wounds will no doubt take time to heal but Monash is a great place and, I am sure, will recover well.
Ed Davis (MEc 1979)

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