Little sister of Bondi’s youngest sufferer Matilda breaks her silence – as her mom remembers the chilling second she realised her daughters have been lacking

The little sister of the Bondi terror attack’s youngest victim, Matilda, has spoken out for the very first time, revealing her life was saved that day by a mystery woman.

Six-year-old Summer was playing in the petting zoo with Matilda, 10, at the Hanukkah by the Sea event on December 14 when shots began ringing out. 

Matilda was shot in the stomach and died in hospital despite efforts to save her. 

Much has been made of the family’s unimaginable agony over the last few weeks, with Summer now recalling she was cared for by a mystery woman during the attack. 

Her parents, Valentyna and Michael, are now desperate to locate the Good Samaritan who protected their daughter. 

Summer told Woman’s Day she wanted to thank the woman for ‘helping [her] hide and making sure [she] didn’t run away’. 

‘I remember how she looks but I don’t know her age. She didn’t have a dress on I don’t think, but I think she was taking care of the animals, she had kind of a farm outfit, she was holding a big rabbit,’ she said. 

‘She had ginger-coloured hair.’

Sisters Summer (left) and Matilda were playing together just before the attack began at Bondi

Matilda with her parents, Valentyna and Michael, and sister Summer at the Hanukkah by the Sea event – this is the last picture taken of the family

Valentyna is now looking for a mystery woman (believed to be young) who saved her youngest daughter Summer in the attack

Valentyna said the family only found out about the woman’s existence after a friend witnessed the woman bravely hiding Summer from harm. 

‘When the attack started, she was holding Summer and grabbed her and hid her behind the vehicle that was next to the petting zoo. She held Summer during the attack,’ Valentyna told the publication.

‘That’s the only information that I have about her, but I would love to see her and say thank you. And at least know who the person was who saved Summer.’

The grieving mother also recalled the heartbreaking moment she couldn’t find her two little girls as shots began ringing out around them. 

‘I was with Michael when the shooting started. Firstly I thought it was firecrackers and said to Michael, ‘What a bad joke,’ but Michael looked to the side and said, ‘It’s shooting,” Valentyna said.

Forced to hide behind a van, Valentyna waited until the gunfire stopped to search for Matilda and Summer, only to learn from Michael that their eldest daughter had been shot but was still alive. 

Valentyna travelled with Matilda to hospital and stayed with her through to the operating room, but sadly the 10-year-old could not be saved.

She described the weeks following Matilda’s death as unimaginably difficult. 

The sisters were playing at the petting zoo just before the attack began, pictured here with their dad Michael who was receiving a traditional Jewish Tefillin ritual at the event

It’s understood Summer stayed with her grandparents while Matilda fought for life in hospital

Valentyna and Michael wore bee stickers at Matilda’s funeral in honour of their little girl

‘I miss Matilda badly… when it gets too hard I hug her photograph and kiss and comfort it as if it was her… I ask her for forgiveness because we couldn’t save her… I say that we loved her, love her and will always love her,’ Valentyna said.

‘I asked Michael to laminate that photo because my tears will ruin it.’

The family, who described the two sisters as ‘inseparable’ and ‘like twins’, said Matilda’s passing has been ‘very hard’ for Summer. 

They are now seeking support from Grace’s Place – a children’s service for grief and loss. 

Little Summer was spotted at Matilda’s funeral on December 18, proudly wearing a bumblebee rosette in honour of her sister. 

Michael later shared a heart-wrenching video of Summer dancing along to ‘Waltzing Matilda’ at the funeral – a song that has become synonymous with the devastating attack.

It was confirmed earlier this week that a pair of Matilda Bee’s shoes and a selection of memorial items are set to be included in a permanent exhibition at a Sydney history museum. 

The exhibit, which will pay tribute to the victims of the terror attack, is expected to be housed at the Sydney Jewish Museum in Darlinghurst.