Bondi terror: Police officer out of hospital as funeral held for ‘gorgeous’ grandmother killed in attack

A probationary police officer who was shot twice while bravely attempting to take down the gunmen has been released from hospital. Probationary Const. Jack Hibbert had only been on the job for four months when he was injured while patrolling Chanukah by the Sea. The 22-year-old was rushed to the ICU where he was intubated, underwent multiple surgeries, and lost sight in one of his eyes. In a heartfelt statement, his family announced that after more than a week in hospital, Const. Hibbert had been discharged. “While he is home, he is still recovering and will need space, support, and continued positive thoughts during this time,” his family said in a statement released by police on Tuesday. “As a family, we couldn’t ask for anything more — having our Jack home, especially for Christmas, truly feels like a miracle. We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support, kind messages, and well wishes from the community, Jack’s colleagues, friends, and the emergency services.” Almost $600,000 had been raised for Const. Hibbert through an appeal on the NSW Police Legacy website. His family also thanked medical staff for their “care and dedication shown”. “We kindly ask that our family’s privacy be respected as we focus on Jack’s recovery and spend this special time together,” they said. “Thank you again for the compassion, love, and support shown to our family. “Jacko, you’ve shown strength of a different degree, we are so glad you’re home buddy.” Const. Scott Dyson was also hospitalised following the terror incident. He had been attached to the eastern suburbs command for 18 months before the attack. The news came on the same day as another funeral was held for a victim of the attack. Holocaust survivor Marika Pogany was remembered as a “gorgeous” woman who touched many lives and had an “extraordinary gift for connecting with people”. Dozens of the 82-year-old’s loved ones gathered at St Joseph’s College Chapel in Hunters Hill to say goodbye to the beloved grandmother. NSW Premier Chris Minns attended the funeral, as he has done for every victim. Romy Benuska paid tribute to his mother in a eulogy that had mourners crying and laughing as he shared memories of the grandmother’s adventures. Mr Benuska thanked the Jewish community, saying they “gave so much, and we’re so grateful for your love, compassion and support”. Born in then Czechoslovakia in 1943, Ms Pogany came to Australia in 1968. She became a citizen in 1972 and embraced her life as an Australian. She was a dedicated volunteer, delivering more than 15,000 meals to Jewish seniors through the kosher meals-on-wheels service. “There’s one thing my mum would’ve wanted us to do today, it’s this: hug your family, hold your friends close, choose compassion over anger, and remember that deep in tragedy, connection is what carries you through,” Mr Benuska said. She received the Mensch Award from the Jewish Communal Appeal in 2019 for her efforts, with the group saying she would even “go into people’s homes and change light bulbs, if that’s the assistance they needed”. Many mourners paid tribute to Ms Pogany by dressing colourfully, in keeping with her wishes. Mr Benuska and Ms Pogany’s two grandsons acted as pallbearers as You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban was played.