Like so many families across the Eastern Suburbs, we are deeply shaken by the shark attack at Coogee Beach over the weekend.
A 35-year-old local mum, Leah Stewart, was seriously injured while swimming at Coogee on Saturday morning, 13 June 2026. Emergency services were called just before 11am, and she was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Our thoughts are with Leah, her family, her friends, and everyone who witnessed or responded to this traumatic incident. As a community of mums, parents, carers and local families, this news feels incredibly close to home.
We also want to acknowledge the extraordinary courage of the lifesavers, emergency responders, medical teams and bystanders who acted so quickly. Their bravery and care in such frightening circumstances is something our whole community is grateful for.
Following the attack, Randwick City Council closed all eastern suburbs beaches under its management for 24 hours as a precaution, including Coogee, Clovelly and Maroubra, while Waverley Council also closed Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama. Coogee Beach has since reopened under increased patrols, with lifeguards, police and shark-spotting measures in place.
For local families heading to the beach, please continue to follow all lifeguard advice, swim between the flags, check beach conditions before entering the water, and speak with children calmly if they are feeling anxious after hearing the news.
Coogee is a place so many of us love — for morning swims, beach walks, school-holiday days, pram strolls, coffee catch-ups and family time. Right now, our community is hurting, but it is also showing what it does best: coming together with compassion, strength and care.
From all of us at Eastern Suburbs Mums, we send our love and support to Leah and her family.
