Australia burns

[Shepherd 2]

I looked at the pictures posters, I have read the stories, I have prayered. I weep in deep concern. I do so hope that every one of you is safe. I so want as you do for the fires to be out. I do so much know every one is ready to try to gather up the ashen remains and try to rebuild the proud country of Australia.

Today I called several people to get a speedy resonse from the USA to Australia to try to rebuild what has been destroyed. Times like this try the souls of us all.
I am glad to know so many of you are able to communicate with us, but I am fearful that some could be lost and I would never know it.

May the Lord of heaven, sky and earth, do all in the natural and human order to bring this horrrific tragedy to an end. Please Lord hear our prayer. Please Lord!
Amen.

Love to you all, I wish I knew what more I could do right now.
Shep+

 

[treanir]

Tears during breakfast today... I recognised a few of the threatened communities' names. And the pictures, the videos, but especially the stories...

 

[_AJ_]

There is one story I have Heard that will stay with me

a reporter who was going to cover the fires came across a tree that had fallen across the road people who had been trying to get away from the fires did not see it and crashed into it

but it is kind of scary seeing my parents live in the outer east of melbourne i see maps with fires out that way they are 50km or so away but it is still scary

 

[monkey555]

On Saturday there was a fire just down the mountain from me in Upper ferntree gully the fire was went on both sides of the train track looking at the aftermath of that one fire i would hate to see what it is like in kinglake, marysvile. My boyfriend went up to whittlsea to help one of his friends that had lost everything and he said that it was just horrific up there.

 

[Yooper]

A somewhat happy story?

Koala rescued from Australia's wildfire wasteland

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090210...oala_rescue;_ylt=Ah6iUMTEBd88wk_6MCC9XF3lWMcF

 

[Dobson73]

Tragically the toll has reached 181 with warnings of many more to come. One can't begin to imagine what these poor bastards have gone through since Saturday afternoon. And the animals, the wildlife. The total destruction of a living community and habitat.

After bitching to my sisters about how the plants in my garden have been killed because of the heat last week, I felt suitably chastened after waking up to the tragedy of the fires on Sunday morning. Tears were shed as we watch the news on Sunday.

As I type this I'm listening to rain on the roof; I just hope it's not an isolated shower and it's now falling out in the Yarra Valley as well.

 

[KangaWallaFox]

makes me so mad that arsonists could be responsible for the 180+ lives lost.

 

[treanir]

Well, it was raining over here (Holland) earlier. I told the clouds to fuck off to Melbourne and surroundings, where they're actually needed. And now it's stopped raining here and it's started over there. Here's to hoping...!

 

[ozguy]

Tragically the toll has reached 181 with warnings of many more to come.

On the news tonight they said the toll could go as high as 300. Amidst all the tragic, horrific stories and images we've seen over the last couple of days, it was so heartwarming to see the footage on the news tonight of the husband and wife being reunited after spending several days apart.

 

[Telstra]

On the news tonight they said the toll could go as high as 300. Amidst all the tragic, horrific stories and images we've seen over the last couple of days, it was so heartwarming to see the footage on the news tonight of the husband and wife being reunited after spending several days apart.

when there are cars and house burnt, dead body(s) must be in the house or near by somewhere.

 

[Ram]

How bushfires spread:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7879141.stm

What a tragedy.

 

[lawrenceal]

Oh my what a sad sight to behold Often at this kind of the time i heard news reprt like this happening in Australia. But this is probably the most serious by far that i have seen.

 

[Shepherd 2]

Dear Aussie Mates,
Please continue to keep us posted, and thinks for the news link Ozguy. I assure you many of us are prepared to dig into our pockets and try to help set things right when this horror is over. Of course, we want all of you to be well and unharmed. Know that your pain is some way ours, and let our tears not be in vain. We love you one and all.

Shep+

 

[TriBi]

Some of the images that really drive home the unbelievable intensity and speed of the fires are images where homes have been absolutely and completely obliterated - nothing left but the concrete slab on which they once stood and maybe a few scraps of metal roofing...

Also burnt out cars where the alloy wheels are now just rivulets of molten metal...

What does gladden the heart is the response of Australian people. From folk who within the first day or so had driven up trailer loads of donated clothing, food, toys - so much so that authorities had to ask for people to stop because they didn't have the ability to deal with it. They instead asked for people to make cash donations to the Red Cross appeal (Red Cross have guaranteed 100% of donations, ie no admin fee deductions, will go to the victims). As I type, the response to that appeal exceeds Aus$31million and rapidly increasing - from a country of 21million people. While a large part of that has come from 'corporate' Australia, the response from everyone has been enormous. I tried yesterday and couldn't get through because the lines were consistently busy, so I shall be trying online in just a moment.

Blood Donations also have been very high. While they often seem to struggle for enough donors, since the tragedy people have been waiting in queues to donate.

 

[ozguy]

^ One of the reasons why I'm so proudly and passionately an Aussie. Although I'm physically far removed from the horror that is occurring in Victoria, I still feel the pain and despair that those affected are feeling as if they were my brothers and sisters. I have shed many tears these past few days, and the least I can do is donate money to the cause.

 

[shea]

ozguy, my heart goes out to you and your countryman
during this terrible crisis. May God keep you safe.
shea

 

[tallguy297]

And again this morning they repeated that they expected the toll to increase to 300 or more and that it would take weeks or even months to identify the victims...

I just cant believe this loss... the scale of it.

There are stories that fires that were 25km's away were on peoples houses within minutes... that the fireball literally sprinted across the tree tops at over 80km's an hour... no wonder so many were lost.

We live in a country of extremes... of beauty and beast, of hot and cold and wet and dry. Its what makes it the awesome place it is.

But we should never forget we're just spending a little time here... its our master and its repeated this cycle for eternity and forever will, no matter what our best or worst efforts are.

300 plus. Twin girls who stayed to look after there horses - gone. Whole families - gone. Young children - gone. Countless people who thought that "stay and protect" could work and even those that tried to flee...gone.

That fear and suffering that they must have endured just makes me cry, even now.

 

[Telstra]

online donation was so easy.

It only took 1 minute or 2.
I donated via mastercard.

https://www.redcross.org.au/Donations/onlineDonations.asp

 

[crowboy]

It is a great photo.

All the more amazing considering Koalas rarely drink. They usually get their water from eucalyptus tree leaves. But I guess even a thirsty Koala knows when to adapt.

 

[wirega56]

I was just at Coles and heard that every Coles store in Australia will donate this Friday's profits to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal, which was great to hear. There is to be a special afternoon tea at my workplace this Friday to raise funds for the appeal and I imagine this type of thing will be happening all over. I have experienced flood and fire in my life but nothing like this disaster which saddens me and makes me realise how fortunate I have been.