For me, it was the day the world really changed.
The year before, the world had been rocked as two planes were flown into the Twin Towers in New York on September 11.
But the Bali bombings. For me, this terrorist attack felt closer.
The Sari Club and Paddy’s Bar — filled with international tourists — were targeted in the attacks.
With 88 Australians among the 202 people killed, and many more among the hundreds injured, it felt like an attack not only on Bali, but on Australia itself.
I can still remember clearly where I was and what I was doing on the day of those attacks, and I imagine this would be the same for most people.
My life at that time was not all that different to those who were killed in the attacks.
I was also a backpacker enjoying life overseas.
The first I heard of the Bali bombings, I was sitting in a café in Killarney, Ireland.
When John Howard’s voice came across the radio I knew something bad had happened.
It was Ireland. They did not really have much news from other countries.
Not on the radio.
Not leading the news bulletin.
And certainly not with a soundbite from an Australian prime minister.
I listened in horror as he told of the bombings.
Later that day, I watched as all the Australian footballers wore black armbands as they played Ireland in the annual International Rules match.
To me, these memories are oh so clear.
And I can’t imagine people not knowing where they were when they heard the news.
But while they are etched in my brain forever, 2002 is a long time ago.
For many of my colleagues — who were still in nappies when the Bali bombings happened — these bombings are just something that happened in the past.
Unlike me, they don’t have memories of them.
Their lives have always included terrorism in some form or other.
And I find it sad that this is the world we all now live in.
Today I remember all those who died or were injured in the Bali bombings, as well as those who were injured.
I also remember their families, their rescuers and those in hospitals who worked hard to save the lives of the injured — many of whom were medivacked to Australia for treatment.
I imagine the bombings are something that none of them will ever forget.
And nor should any of the rest of us.
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