One by one they came and lit candles in Jesmond Park, in memory of the lives already lost in the Himalayan flood and to keep the flame burning in hope that survivors can yet be found.
The other overriding message among the 150 people who attended the Nepalese Community of Newcastle's (NCON) candlelight vigil on Saturday evening was unity.
It was a solemn evening in memory of the victims of the Nepal-Tibet flash flood disaster and an opportunity to seek comfort in their collective grief.
Members of the Australian, Indian, Bangladeshi and Tibetan communities were also there to pay their respects, as were federal and state members for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon and Tim Crakanthorp.
The general manager of the Hunter Multicultural Communities, Dr Fadi Baghdadi, also attended.
"People from different communities came along to make sure we're standing together at this time," NCON president Bhabesh Bhattarai said.
"Everyone gave us good feedback that we did a good job bringing all the community together at this time.
"That was very positive. They assured us if we need any help, they are always ready to provide it."
As of Sunday morning there were 3000 people missing, feared washed away in the tidal wave of mud, rock and water that devastated parts of Nepal and China's Tibet last Thursday.
There are 41 Australians missing, including Rankin Park mother Reshma Patel, 46, and University of Newcastle medicine students and brothers Rishab Sreedharan Iyer, 23, and Rudhra Sreedharan Iyer, 20.
Newcastle Nepalese Cricket Club captain and manager Rupak Sapkota and members of his side also attended to light candles.
"It went smoothly, and I would like to thank everyone who took their precious time to come over and remembered the lost souls by lighting up the candles," Mr Sapkota said.
"Some funds were raised too, and cricket team members are taking part actively to see if any members of the community need counselling services or if anyone is depressed looking at all the pictures available on social media, as some of them would make your eyes wet."
Ms Claydon told gatherers at the vigil that the federal government had committed $5 million in aid to Nepal and was continuing to work with international organisations to locate missing Australian citizens.
"Tonight is about coming together, digging deep to see how we support each other, but also supporting our brothers and sisters living a long way away from us, because the one thing that really underlines the vigil tonight, I think, is that there is a real common humanity," Ms Claydon said.
"That is really why we come together to support each other at times like this, to ensure that there is love and compassion, to ensure that it is taken to all the parts of the world that need it most."
A second candlelight vigil for Nepal-Tibet flood victims will be held at 5pm on Sunday at Dixon Park in Merewether.
