Australia is devestated. We have sufferered the worst natural disaster in Australian history. 130 people dead, and the death toll is expected to reach over 200.
I live in NSW in a rural area surrounded by bush, escarpments and national parks. It has been a few years since the area was threatened by fire. It has almost been forgotton, that we could almost see flames, and that we planned where the local children were to go. It has almost been forgotten that 5 minutes from here, people were filling their roof gutters with water, that the horses all had head stalls on and were brought up around the house, ready to be loaded and trucked to safer ground. It was almost forgotten.
As I sit here at my computer, I hear rain outside. Rain Victoria could use right now.
Rght now there is nothing we can do to help. I’ll make sure we fund raise at the hotel I work at. I’ve spoken with a Lifeline manager on the border of NSW and Victoria. He will be in the fire area for the next couple of days. He lives in a small town 20 kilometers from the nearest fire, another one out of control. My aunt, uncle, 2 cousins and their children live in that town, but the Lifeline manager won’t be there at his home. He’ll be helping others who have lost everything.
All the fire areas are being considered as crime scenes, with the expectation of fires having been deliberately lit.
Melbourne, the capital of Victoria had its hottest day on record the other day at 47c. NSW was said to have been the hottest place on the planet on Sunday. Victoria burns and 60 odd percent of, the other end of the country, Queensland is flooded. The rest of Queensland in draught, and financially Australia as everywhere, is in crisis.
But as Australians, spread across this enormous diverse landscape, we have an incredible ability to come together and give from our pockets and our hearts; and we will.
Talon
Truly horrific. To think anyone would deliberately do such a thing completely stupifies me. My heart goes out to everyone that is dealing with this. There is some comfort in knowing that disaster does help draw people together, even as lives are torn apart.
Feb 10, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
Joanne
We see this on the news here, and the images are so frightening. I am so sorry for the losses suffered in Australia and hope you remain strong and safe.
Feb 11, 2009 @ 1:18 pm
buddhaofhollywood
Devastating and horrific!
It reminds me of the fires we had last summer here in California.
Same thing some sick, mentally deranged guy setting dozen of fires.
I feel for you!
Feb 11, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
Laura
Floods at the same time as fire? You just have to wonder sometimes why things can’t be spread out, why does there have to be so much dramatics with weather.
May the winds shift and everyone get the weather they need.
Feb 16, 2009 @ 1:23 am
brigit
Talon - the response from the people of Aus. has been overwhelming in support of our fellow countrymen going through the loss incured through the fires. How anyone can deliberately light a fire, knowing the possible consequences is beyond me. I just don’t get it.
Joanne - All is well where we are. In fact we have had an abundance of rain in the last couple of days. Our water tank was only just half full. It is now 3/4 full. Just sad that they didn’t have it in Victoria when they needed it.
buddhaofhollywood - One of the arsonists has been caught, a 39 year old, who was at one stage a volunteer fire fighter.
Feb 16, 2009 @ 11:03 pm