A town heartbroken by an unspeakable crime perpetrated by one of its own has come together to mourn the Christchurch massacre victims.
Hundreds of locals packed Grafton's Christ Church Cathedral on Monday night, many in tears with grief and guilt.
The northern NSW town is still reeling three days after Brenton Tarrant, 28, who grew up there, allegedly gunned down 50 Muslims two mosques during Friday prayers.
Church leaders for multiple faiths and local politicians called for unity and healing, and for compassion for Tarrant's family.
Hundreds of locals packed Grafton's Christ Church Cathedral on Monday night to mourn Christchurch massacre victims
Locals bowed their head as they prayed for victims, their families and members of the Muslim community
'We gather here to express our solidarity and compassion for the people of Christchurch, especially the Muslim community,' Grafton's Anglican dean Gregory Jenks said.
'Also for the Tarrant family, we want them to feel loved and cared for and respected by their neighbours.'
Paster Greg Holder from Riverside Church in Grafton urged locals to move past the tragedy and make something good from it, like Port Arthur did.
Community members, especially families gathered at the church service to express solidarity and compassion
Local school children participated in the ceremony by reading prayers and lighting candles
'Tonight is the first step towards healing something that is badly broken,' he said.
'Our hearts are truly broken. Everyone I've spoken to has a deep sense of brokenness and sadness.
'We live in unstable times... people lock themselves away and live in fear - this is not the way we were meant to live our lives.'
Pastor Holder said attendees were there as a sign of respect and honour to the people of Christchurch and to the Tarrant family, who needed prayer and support.
'This was not - and never was - their fault. This is just an indicator of how a depraved person can commit an act against society,' he said.
'Our role as a community is to stand strong and support one another - every creed, every colour and every race - because we're all broken in some way.'
Members of the community lit candles in memory of Christchurch victims
Clarence Valley mayor Jim Simmons said: 'It's a reminder that no community is immune to terrorism and the people who perpetrate it'
Clarence Valley mayor Jim Simmons praised the compassion he saw in locals since the massacre, saying it reflected the values and hear of the community.
'We are shocked and in grief that the alleged perpetrator came from such a close and caring community, it's almost impossible to comprehend,' he said.
'It's a reminder that no community is immune to terrorism and the people who perpetrate it.'
Mayor Simmons
