Key points

• Thousands of people hold giant paddle-out at Bondi Beach
• Australia announces gun buyback program
• GoFundMe raises $1.65 million (€1.4 million) for Syrian-born hero Ahmed al Ahmed
• Mourners prepare for three more funerals

Here's a roundup of Friday's news around the terrorist attack at Bondi beach, which targeted Sydney's Jewish community.

Surfers and swimmers hold minute's silence

Thousands of surfers, swimmers and paddlers created a giant circle in the water of Bondi Beach on Friday morning. 

They held a minute's silence for the 15 people killed and others injured in Sunday's terrorist attack on a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach.

"It's a pretty proud moment to be part of the community and see everyone come together in solidarity," surfer Matt Douglas, who took part, told the Australian Financial Review.

Bondi is extremely popular with surfers, ocean swimmers and paddleboarders, and dozens of surfers were in the water when the two gunmen started shooting on Sunday evening. 

Surf lifesavers will begin their regular patrols again at Bondi as of Saturday, national broadcaster ABC reported.

Australia announces gun buyback scheme, national day of mourning

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a gun buyback scheme to "help get guns off our streets."

It will target surplus and newly banned guns, as well as illegal firearms. 

Speaking at a press conference on Friday morning, Albanese also addressed criticism of changes to gun laws. 

One of the shooters, who lived in Bonnyrigg, a suburban part of Sydney, legally owned six weapons. 

"If a bloke in Bonnyrigg needs six high-powered rifles and is able to get them under the existing licensing scheme, then there's something wrong," Albanese said. "I think Australians can see that."

He said he will work with the Jewish community to confirm a national day of mourning for the Bondi attack.

The federal government and the state of NSW, where Sydney is located, have declared this coming Sunday, December 21, as a day of reflection to honor the victims. Flags will be flown at half mast. 

He has asked people across Australia to light a candle at 6:47 p.m. Sydney time (11:47 UST/GMT), the time the attack started one week ago. 

Funerals for four victims to take place on Friday

Loved ones have farewelled Bondi couple Boris Gurman, aged 69, and his wife Sofia, aged 61. They have been hailed as heroes for stepping in to try to stop one of the gunmen at the beginning of the attack on the festival celebrating Hanukkah. 

Dashcam footage captured by a passing car shows Boris Gurman wrestling with one of the gunmen and taking his weapon away. 

It is thought that the attacker used another gun to shoot them both. 

The funeral for the couple, who had been married for 34 years, was held on Friday morning in eastern Sydney. 

Funerals for shooting victims Edith Brutman and Boris Tetleroyd will also be held. 

Syrian hero Ahmad al Ahmad presented with $1.65 million check

Ahmad al Ahmad, the Syrian-born hero who wrestled a gun off one of the killers, was presented with a AU$ 2.5 million ($1.65 million, €1.41 million) novelty check on Friday.

The check represents the funds donated by thousands of people on the GoFundMe website.

When viewing the check, Ahmed, who owns a tobacco shop, asks, "I deserve it?" in a video broadcast on social media. 

Ahmed, a father of two, suffered gunshot wounds to his hand and shoulder and is still in hospital. He is expected to undergo a third surgery on Friday, national broadcaster ABC reported.

When asked what he would say to the people who donated, Ahmed said: "To stand with each other, all human beings. And forget everything bad ... and keep going to save life."

"When I saved the people I [did it] from the heart because it was a nice day, everyone enjoying celebrating, with their kids, woman, man, teenager all, everyone ‍was happy and they deserve, they deserve to enjoy," Ahmed said, raising his uninjured fist in the air.

As a legal resident of Australia, Ahmed will not have to pay large medical bills under the country's universal health care system.

Along with Ahmad, an additional 14 people injured in shootings are still in hospitals across Sydney. Four of them are in critical condition.    

Edited by: Sean Sinico