By now, I am sure you have heard about the devastating bush fires and subsequent loss of life in Victoria.
A lot of people (even Australians), think that the bush or scrub is disappearing. Having been fortunate enough to fly over quite a bit of Australia, I can state that there is a huge amount of natural bushland out there. Dry and hot conditions, lightning strikes from dry storms and, unfortunately, arsonists, make it inevitable that fires are going to start and someone is going to lose something to fire during an Australian summer.
Yet the scale of this disaster is unheard of. According to the headlines of the Sydney Morning Herald, this is the worst natural disaster that Australia has ever experienced with the toll of dead and wounded only exceeded in wartime.
There are many people raising funds to send to aid the communities affected by the fires. Small communities are rallying and donating the proceeds of their already scheduled events, farmers are sending hay, people from all over are generously donating money direct to the Red Cross (the official destination to send donations to). Even the small, handmade brigade are rallying by donating items - toys, blankets and other little necessities are being sent direct and other things are being auctioned off with the proceeds being donated.
Whatever we do, we can help in some small way - even the longest journey starts with one little step.
If you would like to assist you could visit the Australian Red Cross website. If you are an artisan/craftsman that wants to donate an item or if you can help by buying a donated handmade item, look at Handmade Help (all funds going to the Australian Red Cross and Wildlife Victoria).
True wisdom can create a phrase that can be applicable to many situations. I saw the following on Joliv's Weblog quoting Deepak Chopra:
Even when you think you have your life all mapped out, things happen that shape your destiny in ways you might never have imagined.
For many affected by the fires, how true.
Thankfully we have had a cool change in south-eastern Australia and the fires are being bought under control. Let's hope they can be fully extinguished soon and the recovery can begin.
10 comments:
I'm glad you posted this. I was thinking of you when I heard and hoping you were doing ok. Was unable to get online for awhile so I coudln't ask. I'm so sorry for what you are all going through.
Hey lady, how are you hanging in there? I haven't talked to you in forever! I heard about the brush fires and it sounds horrible. A friend of ours lives in the Northern Territory but the name of the area is escaping me right now. I just know it's out in the middle of nowhere because she warned us if we came to visit we would have no running water. Anywho, point being, I had been thinking about you and her and wondering.
I was thinking of you when I read about the fires in the newspapers. I got to know about the magnitude of the problem from my cousins who stay in Melbourne. I'm keeping you and all Australians in my prayers.
I have been heart sick about these fires. We had our own fires in CA last November. The feeling of seeing the fire smoke and then the heat. Terrifying. And I remember a moment when I feared we would all burn alive in our car. It can happen so easily. A traffic jam at the last moment puts everybody at risk. I'm so sorry for everybody who died and was injured and lost their homes. :*(
Hi Annette.
Thank you for your post.
It has been a horrible week here in Victoria. Unfortunately it has touched our family with the deaths of our friends Paul, Karen, Caitlin & Nicola Rolands in the blaze @ Kinglake West.
Over 1069 homes have been destroyed so far and more than 180 people have been killed.
In response to this horrible disaster, I have created a blog and forum which can be found at www.VictorianushFireForum.com
I wanted to create a space for those affected by this horrible disaster where they could catch up with others who have been through this hell like event.
Once again,
Thank you for your post.
Warm Regards
Brett.
I wish all the best to our friends Down Under. It's so terrible watching your land burn. The number of lives lost is alarming. I'm sorry for all the loss in Australia.
I pray for you and all your friends and countrymen.
Hi again, Annette! Just stopping by to wish you Happy Valentine's Day.
I thought of you too when I heard of these disastrous fires. Fire is so incredibly destructive, and I'm very sorry to read comments from others who lost friends. I am glad to hear you and your family and home are OK. Teri
http://www.sandtcreations.com/wordpress
Great post Annette. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I hope the dance went well this weekend. Friends of ours put on a poker night last night to raise money for the bushfire. The boys in the circle of friends have regular poker nights but this time it was open to all. Unfortunately it was still going at 2am and I was a little sleepy having gone out earlier in the night (it was my first game of poker!) I didnt get to see the final outcome. Im sure all went well and lots was raised, the host of the night lost friends in the fire.
Annette, I have been worried about you. I am so glad you are okay. I will continue to pray for your countrymen.
Post a Comment