Sydney Siege

Lindt cafe at Martin place on 15th December, 2014

Louisa Hope was one of 18 people taken hostage during the tragic Lindt Café siege at Martin Place, Sydney — an event that gripped the nation. What began as an ordinary Monday morning coffee with her mother, Robin, turned into a harrowing 16-hour ordeal when an armed gunman stormed the café. Louisa, who lives with MS (multiple sclerosis), was used as a human shield and sustained shrapnel wounds during the siege. Despite the trauma and physical injury, she considers herself incredibly blessed to have survived. Her story has since become one of courage, endurance, and the pursuit of social cohesion over fear.

the Aftermath

News broke that the siege had ended when the Police Tactical Operations Unit stormed the Lindt café. Tragically, two hostages lost their lives. Though it was over, months of inquest hearings still lay ahead. Louisa attended the inquest, finding it shocking, traumatising, and eye-opening. The experience left her determined to challenge the shortcomings in our system and work to address the gaps.

Healing

Following the siege, Louisa spent nearly three months recovering at Prince of Wales Hospital and a nearby rehabilitation facility. Grateful for the care she received and determined to bring something good out of such a traumatic experience, she chose to give back. With the money she was given for her appearance on Channel 9’s 60 Minutes, Louisa established the ‘Louisa Hope Fund for Nurses’ at the Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation — a lasting tribute to the dedication and compassion of the nursing staff who supported her recovery. The fund continues to support education, wellbeing, and development opportunities for nurses.