Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined people across the country in remembering the victims of the Bali bombings on the 20th anniversary of the explosions that claimed 88 Australian lives.
At about 11pm on October 12, 2002, three bombs detonated along a tourist strip in Kuta, killing 202 people and severely wounding many others.
Mr Albanese attended a service at Coogee in Sydney alongside the New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
He described the bombings as "an act of malic and calculated depravity" while also acknowledging that alongside tourists and residents, a number of Australian sporting teams who were in Bali enjoying end-of-season holidays.
"We think of them with the ache of knowing they should still be here, their senses filled with everything we feel now," he said.
"So many futures were stolen that night. We think of every conversation never had, every moment of love never known.
"We think of those who survived, and those who helped — what they saw that night will never leave them."
In Canberra, a memorial was held at Parliament House where a number of current and former MPs gathered to pay their respects.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong spoke to the heroism of victims, first responders and consulate staff who helped rescue people from the bomb sites and later get them to safety or back to Australia for further treatment.
"Today we remember what was taken, today we remember what was lost," she said.
"While an act of terror might shake us, it can't change us.
"The worst of humanity brought out the very best. Survivors became saviours, somehow overcoming their pain."
Attacks brought Indonesia and Australia closer
Senator Wong and Mr Albanese both spoke to how the bombings saw Australia and Indonesia grow closer in the wake of the devastation.
Indonesia's ambassador to Australia, Siswo Pramono, echoed that sentiment.
"Indonesia and Australia are not just neighbours. More importantly we are partners," he said.
"Just as a partnership works, Indonesia and Australia provided support to each other during difficult times.
"I would like to reiterate the unwavering commitment from Indonesia to combat terrorism, the people of Indonesia stand strong against terrorists that threaten our democracy."
Deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley also thanked the Australians and Indonesians who rushed to people's aid on the night of the attack.
"I was in the parliament 20 years ago, it does in some respect seem a distant occurrence but for many, many Australians today brings home the tragedy and heartbreak of that occasion," she said.
"We rush to help without thinking of our own safety. Australians can rightly be proud of the qualities that were on display of courage, sacrifice and friendship.
"Everyone who did so much to ease what was in many cases an insufferable suffering, for those who experienced that tragedy."
Crowds brave weather, early starts to pay their respects
Crowds in Sydney's eastern suburbs braved the rain to mark the 20th anniversary at Dolphins Point — a site renamed in honour of the six members of the local Coogee Dolphins football team who were killed along with friends and family members in the bombing attack at the Sari Club.
At the end of the service 88 white doves were released, one for every Australian killed in the attacks.
In Darwin, a ceremony to commemorate the tragedy was held at Parliament House.
The city played a vital role in the wake of the attack and was the first port of call for injured Australians who were flown in for treatment.
Professor Len Notaras oversaw the response in Darwin at the time and now heads up the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre which was founded in response to the bombings.
He said the Royal Darwin Hospital system was stretched at that time, but the staff made the difference and saved lives.
"It was a dinky emergency department and an antiquated ICU [but] it was the people that made it," he said.
"It was the people that created that response to all levels, commitment, care, competency and compassion," he said.
Australia's Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly was also in attendance and praised the actions of those who stepped up on the day.
"The work of the medical staff here in Darwin, in particular: to triage, to stabilise and then [to] ensure the safe transportation of many of the critically injured patients to other cities where specialist burns units existed, was world class."
In Adelaide, people gathered at the Sturt football club, members of which were in Bali celebrating its 2002 SANFL premiership win when the bombings killed player Josh Deegan and trainer Bob Marshall and injured 19 other players and club officials.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk spoke in parliament in remembrance of the seven Queenslanders who died in the bombings, saying her thoughts were with the survivors as well as the families and loved ones of those killed in the attack.
"The Bali bombings were then, and still are, the largest loss of Australian life due to a terrorist attack in history," she said.
Hundreds of people gathered at a memorial at Perth's Kings Park to remember all of the victims, including 16 West Australians.
"For many people, this event is still incredibly raw," Indonesia Institute founder Ross Taylor said.
"The 20th anniversary is a very poignant time for families of those [who died]."
