Two victims hailed as selfless heroes

SYDNEY — One was the manager of the Lindt cafe in Sydney’s city centre and the other was meeting her friend there for coffee when they were held hostage, along with several others, by an armed serial sex offender.

With Australia reeling from Monday’s hostage crisis — which lasted more than 16 hours before heavily-armed police raided the cafe — Mr Tori Johnson, 34, and barrister Katrina Dawson, 38, were hailed yesterday as heroes who were “willing to lay down their lives so others might live”, as Sydney’s Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher put it at a memorial service attended by hundreds of people.

The two were killed, along with the gunman, Man Haron Monis. Mr Johnson was reportedly shot after he tried to grab the shotgun from Monis when the latter began to doze off, while Ms Dawson was said to be shielding her pregnant friend from gunfire.

Mr Johnson had worked at the cafe for more than two years, and had previously worked in other cafes in Sydney and in the United States.

Mr Peter Manettas, from Nicks Restaurant and Bar group, where Mr Johnson worked for more than six years, told Guardian Australia he “always put everyone else first”. “He was a leader. He was a very selfless person, he always put his staff before anything else,” Mr Manettas said.

Lindt Australia chief executive Steve Loane also released a statement on the company’s Facebook page.

“Tori had been with us at Lindt for just over two years and he was a great ambassador for our company and the store that he managed, which he cared about passionately,” Mr Loane said.

“He was a really important part of our management team in Australia and his loss is absolutely tragic.”

In a statement, Mr Johnson’s family said: “We are so proud of our beautiful boy Tori, gone from this earth but forever in our memories as the most amazing life partner, son and brother we could ever wish for.”

They added: “We would like to thank not only our friends and loved ones for their support, but the people of Sydney; Australia and those around the world for reaching out with their thoughts and prayers.”

Ms Dawson, a mother of three children aged under 10, was with fellow barrister Julie Taylor in the cafe when the gunman attacked. The pair practised in the Eight Selborne chambers not far from the eatery. According to a report in The Australian, Ms Dawson got her coffee most days from the Lindt cafe. When news of the siege broke, fearing the worst, her family tried to contact her via text and at her office.

Ms Dawson was a highly regarded commercial barrister. She completed a law degree at the University of Sydney and a Masters in law at the University of New South Wales.

Former Governor-General Quentin Bryce was principal of the Women’s College at the University of Sydney while Ms Dawson was a student.

Ms Bryce said the country “has lost a shining star”. She said: “Katrina Dawson, brilliant mind, joie de vivre spilling over, talented sportswoman, one of those rare natural leaders. Confident, courageous, out-front, articulate, warm and funny, but thoughtful, gentle and understanding too.

“Oh the tragic loss, the deepest sadness, the awful grief for her family who gave her joy, happiness, a true sense of security. How will they bear the unbearable? We will wrap our arms around them to give them strength.” AGENCIES