Australia paused to remember the victims of the devastating Bondi Beach shooting on Wednesday, December 17, as country music legend John Williamson delivered an emotional rendition of his classic song, “True Blue,” at Adelaide Oval. The performance, which preceded day one of the third Test of the 2025-26 Ashes Series, was a deeply moving act of tribute to those whose lives were lost in the tragic attack.
Williamson, 80, who has spent over five decades shaping Australia’s musical identity, cancelled his planned Christmas holidays on the Gold Coast to ensure he could be present in Adelaide. “It was such an honour to perform for this cause,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “Waking up this morning, I honestly wondered if it was a dream—it was that surreal. But I knew how important it was to stay professional and give it my all.”
The song, released in 1982, has become an unofficial anthem of Australia, a “song for all Australians,” as Williamson himself describes it. Its stirring lyrics and evocative melody have long resonated at sporting events, memorial services, and public celebrations, including the funerals of broadcaster John Laws and Steve Irwin, the famed “Crocodile Hunter.” On Wednesday, it resonated again, this time as a balm for a nation in mourning.
The mass shooting at Bondi Beach, which occurred during a Hanukkah celebration, claimed 16 lives, including one of the suspected gunmen. The attack has been widely condemned, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese describing it as an act of antisemitic terrorism. In response, the New South Wales Parliament will be recalled prior to Christmas to review and tighten legislation concerning firearms and public protests.
Williamson’s performance was marked by restraint and respect. Despite the emotional weight of the occasion, he focused on delivering a strong, heartfelt rendition. “I had to ensure that I sang it with strength and clarity. It was a moment that required me to be professional and considerate of everyone watching and remembering,” he explained.
Fans at Adelaide Oval described the performance as one of the most moving moments they had witnessed in years. Many found themselves moved to tears as Williamson’s voice carried across the stadium, a hauntingly beautiful reminder of Australia’s resilience and shared grief.
Over his illustrious career, Williamson has sold more than five million albums, amassed over one billion streams, and earned 28 Golden Guitar awards and four ARIA Awards. He was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2010 and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1992 for his services to Australian country music and conservation advocacy.
In a time of national sorrow, Williamson’s “True Blue” performance was more than a musical moment; it was a unifying act of remembrance and healing. It demonstrated the enduring power of music to comfort a grieving nation and pay tribute to lives tragically lost.