Their comments come as many prepare to host Harmony Day events today, embracing culture and diversity.

A Bendigo South East College college spokesperson said the school's student support service had been working with students of all faiths in the wake of the act of terrorism in New Zealand, which killed 50 people.

"The BSE community is strongly committed to creating a positive and inclusive environment for everyone, and proudly and openly celebrates culture and diversity," they said.

"Some of our students were showed Waleed Aly's comments on The Project following the terrorist attack in Christchurch.

"They believed that it was important to talk about this and reinforce the key message of caring and respecting each other and look out for one another."

Bendigo Senior Secondary College assistant principal Kylie Hand said the school's students came from a range of diverse backgrounds, which added to the college's rich culture. 

"We have a very inclusive environment at BSSC and support all students," Ms Hand said.

"We have a range of wellbeing assistance available at the college for all students, and any time a student was feeling unsafe or distressed, they would always be able to readily access this support.

"We do everything we can to identify and respond to the needs of all of our students."

RELATED: Sorrow and solidarity in Bendigo after Christchurch terror attack

La Trobe University Bendigo head of campus Robert Stephenson said the university considered diversity to be one of its strengths.

"At the heart of the university is bringing in people with different life stories," he said.

Mr Stephenson said Friday's terror attack in Christchurch was distressing to the university and to all of the community.

"What we want to do is reinforce this is a safe and welcoming space," he said.

A moment of reflection would be incorporated into today's Harmony Day celebrations, Mr Stephenson said.

There would also be a condolence book available for students to sign, which would be sent to New Zealand.

Mr Stephenson said members of the student Islamic society on campus had to source additional goods for a bake sale run in support of Christchurch this week, such was the community support.

He said solidarity with members of the Muslim community and with New Zealand was evident in public displays, including vigils and lowering flags to half-mast.

A vigil at St Paul's Anglican Cathedral Bendigo on Sunday attracted more than 200 attendees.

The Bendigo Islamic Association and Bendigo Islamic Community Centre have arranged a second vigil and a prayer from 6.30pm on Friday at the Strathdale Community Centre.

"This is an open, welcome, loving, caring community," Mr Stephenson said.

He said the university was also promoting services available to students who might be experiencing distress, such as counselling and pastoral support.

RELATED: Second chance to show solidarity with Muslim community in Bendigo

Visiting Cashmere High School in Christchurch yesterday - a school directly affected by Friday's terror attack - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appealed to students for their help.

"Feeling safe means feeling free from violence," she said.

"There are lots of things government can do to make sure people are free from violence, and we will do those things.

"But it also means making a place where there is no environment for violence to flourish, where we don't let racism exist, because racism breeds extremism, breeds some of the things we unfortunately have had visited upon New Zealand.

"And so this is my request. I alone can not get rid of those things by myself. I need help from every single one of us."

She encouraged the students to show outpourings of love, gather together, send a strong message and look after one another if they wanted to feel they were doing something to make a difference.

"But also, let New Zealand be a place where there is no tolerance for racism, ever, and that's something we can all do," Ms Ardern said.

Bendigo resident Alex Sullivan said one of her Muslim friends had told her he was scared for his safety in light of what had occurred in Christchurch - so scared he and his family had discussed leaving Australia.

"They feel unsafe and unwanted in Australia due to what happened in Christchurch," Ms Sullivan said.

It made her emotional to know her friend, who is 17 years old, felt this way.

"This is something I don't want to be happening in my country, affecting young people and stopping them from gaining an education because they are scared of being killed for being a Muslim," Ms Sullivan said.

She said her friend and other Muslims had shared their fears with teachers at their school.

RELATED: NZ to hold two-minute silence for victims

Ms Sullivan was full of admiration for Ms Ardern's leadership in responding to the issue and urged those whose initial response was to resist appeals for solidarity to at least base their actions on a well-informed opinion.

It had been her experience few who feared Islam had knowingly interacted with a Muslim person - something Ms Sullivan said was highlighted when she shared her thoughts on the issue via social media.

Speaking in parliament this week, Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan called for united and unwavering leadership in pushing back voices of hate. 

She referenced the Bendigo community's experiences with the application to build its first mosque as an example of standing up and making a positive difference - "to not let this hateful intolerance carry the day".

"One of the clear lessons from Christchurch is that we can never consider hate speech to be free speech. This has got to stop, and we need to call it out," Ms Allan said.  "Racial hatred and division is not news. It is not opinion. It is not a counterargument.

"As a people and as a community we must continue to fight for the religious freedoms of all and stand united against such intolerance at a time when we mourn such great tragedy."

Bendigo council also held a minute's silence during yesterday's meeting.

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