Northern Beaches’ 22-year-old Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert was allegedly shot during the antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday 14 December.
The Northern Beaches community, including Warringah MP Zali Steggall and Ingleside-based group Youth Up Front – which Cstb Hibbert had previously been involved with – are calling for locals to contribute to donations to assist with his recovery. Cstb Hibbert’s family is supporting the fundraisers.
On the GoFundMe page, the family made this statement:
“Before the tragic shooting event unfolded, Jack was on duty within the crowd, circulating and interacting with members of the Jewish community and doing his job to help maintain safety.
“Whilst serving and protecting the community, Jack sustained two bullet wounds – one to his head and another to his shoulder. Jack was taken to ICU where he was intubated and placed in a coma. He has already had three surgeries, with more ahead, and was woken from his coma on 17 December.
“As Jack has woken up, he had to be told of his life-changing injuries, which was particularly devastating for our family. He now faces a long and challenging recovery, and the unknown ramifications of the loss of vision on his career.
“So far, we have released very little information about Jack because we wanted him to have a say in which part of his story is shared, knowing that he is a very private and humble young man, and not wanting to circulate details that he would not want released.
“Wider family and friends have been keen to commence a gofundme to reduce financial pressure on our family as we drop everything to be with Jack in hospital. But also importantly, to try and remove some financial stress for the months and years of uncertainty ahead.”
Mr Hibbert has only been a member of the force for four months.
If you would like to donate, you can find the GoFundMe set up by Jack Hibbert’s family friends at https://www.gofundme.com/f/official-hibbert-family-young-police-officer-shot-at-bondi , or the Police Legacy fundraiser at https://www.policelegacynsw.org.au/jack-hibbert-appeal