Man Haron Monis forced the hostages to call police and media organisations, falsely warning that he had placed bombs around the city, including in his backpack, and that it was an attack by Islamic State.
Hostage Elly Chen ran from the Lindt Chocolat cafe in Martin Place, Sydney on Monday 15 December, 2014. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett
Sixteen hours later, he and two of the hostages would be killed after a deadly shootout that was broadcast into living rooms across the nation.
The boards, installed by the NSW government, display images of the sea of flowers left by mourners after the siege.
Sydneysiders left thousands of bouquets of flowers in Martin Place following the siege. Source: AAP / Dan Himbrechts
More than 100,000 bouquets were laid across Martin Place in tribute to the victims.
“I hope the families that were put in those terrible circumstances, and those that were in the cafe during the siege, know that there’s enormous amounts of goodwill for them and that Australians were behind them during this terrible period,” he said.
Martin Place features a permanent installation of colourful flowers between tiles to mark the siege. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins
A Dan Murphy’s wine cellar, which occupies the site of the cafe now, has also marked the anniversary by placing flowers on a central table, in memory of those impacted by the tragedy.
Martin Place also features a permanent installation of more than 200 flowers embedded in the pavement behind glass frames, accompanied by a plaque that reads “This sea of flowers in the heart of the city signifies the heart of the community united in the face of tragedy”.
The months following the siege
Coroner Michael Barnes also made a series of recommendations, many of which have been adopted into law and have changed the way Australia deals with domestic terrorist threats.
