John Williamson Honors Bondi Beach Shooting Victims with heartfelt ‘True Blue’ Performance
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In the wake of Sunday’s tragic mass shooting on Bondi Beach, renowned Australian singer-songwriter John Williamson has turned to music as a means of healing for the nation.
Williamson, an inductee of the ARIA Hall of Fame and a celebrated figure in “bush music,” performed his iconic song “True Blue” in front of a capacity crowd at Adelaide Oval on December 17, dedicating the heartfelt rendition to the victims of the massacre.
The poignant performance took place before the opening day of the third Test match in the 2025-26 Ashes Series between Australia and England.
Reflecting on the emotional experience, Williamson expressed his relief and honor in paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragedy. “It’ll be one of the most memorable occasions for me in my career,” he shared in an interview with the Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), describing his hasty decision to cancel holiday plans on the Gold Coast to be there. “I was sort of waking up this morning thinking, was it a dream? That’s how incredible it was for me.”
He further elaborated on the challenge of performing during such a sensitive time, noting, “For me to perform it, I really had to be a professional and do the job that I had to do. I didn’t allow myself to be too emotional. I just wanted to make sure that I sang it strongly. Because I knew what I was doing was so important.”
At 80 years old, Williamson boasts a career that spans more than five decades, during which he has sold over 5 million albums and achieved upwards of one billion streams. His accolades include 28 Golden Guitar awards, four ARIA Awards, and recognition as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) on Australia Day 1992 for his contributions to country music and conservation awareness.
Williamson had the honor of performing at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2010. Since its release in 1982, “True Blue” has become an integral part of Australian culture, frequently featured at sporting events and significant ceremonies, including the memorial for Steve “Crocodile Hunter” Irwin and the funeral of the late broadcaster John Laws.
Previously, Williamson has described “True Blue” as a “song for all Australians.” The nation has entered a period of mourning following the violent attack during a Hanukkah celebration, which claimed 16 lives, including one of the alleged gunmen who was killed at the scene.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident as an act of antisemitic terrorism, prompting the New South Wales Parliament to reconvene the week before Christmas to discuss measures for tightening gun and protest laws.
