Family and friends to remember Bali bombing victims at memorial site in Kings Park

The families and friends of victims and survivors of the Bali bombings will come together for a memorial service next Saturday at Kings Park to remember the innocent lives lost 22 years ago in Kuta.

Bali Memorial Association President Cheryl Edwardes said time has stopped for those left behind after the deadly terrorist attack.

“That day will never leave them,” she said.

Ms Edwardes, who was the member for Kingsley at the time of the bombings, has spent the past 22 years supporting those who lost loved ones on October 12, 2002.

She vividly recalls the day when seven players from the Kingsley Football Club died.

“I remember every minute from the moment I received the phone call from then-Premier Geoff Gallop,” Ms Edwardes said.

“It was a devastating blow to the club and community and the ripple effect continues to this day.

“The memories of that day will never leave anyone who was involved at the time.”

The Bali Memorial Association is now pursuing plans to build a peace park in Bali to remember the 202 people killed, including 88 Australians, when three bombs were detonated at tourist hotspots Paddy’s bar and Sari Club in Kuta.

“The association sent a delegation to Bali in March and met with representatives of the Badung Regency,” Ms Edwardes said.

“We were warmly received and it’s clear that the Regency views the Bali bombings as an issue of international importance.

“The Badung Regency is committed to restoring the existing memorial as well as supporting our initiative to build a peace park in Bali.”

Ms Edwardes said Indonesian Consul-General Listiana Operananta will join Kingsley MLA Jessica Stojkovski to remember the victims next Saturday in an early morning service at the Bali Memorial in Kings Park from 5.40am.

“When we again commemorate those losses next Saturday, we will have speakers representing both the Australian and Indonesian interests,” she said.