Bushfires in Victoria
Posted by kathryn in Blogging
Tuesday is a regular posting day for me and I had planned another installment of the Omega 3 series. But not today.
Not when I woke up this morning to find the number of deaths in the Victorian bushfires has risen to 173.
As all my Australian readers will know, any many of you from overseas are also aware, at the weekend bushfires raged across parts of Victoria – the state in the south-eastern corner of mainland Australia. At the moment 173 are dead and more are expected. 750 homes have also been lost. It is our worse ever natural disaster.
It’s a harsh country we live in. The cruel ironies of our weather mean it’s not uncommon for simultaneous drought, bushfires and floods to be dotted around the country. At the moment while bushfires have ravaged the south, the scattergun tail of Cyclone Ellie has left two-thirds of Queensland in flood.
My family and I are all fine – we’re far, far away from fires. But for those readers who have been caught up in the blazes, or who know people near the fires, my greatest, greatest sympathy goes out to you.
Donations to the bushfire appeal can be made via the Red Cross.
Update: If you can’t donate money, then you can give blood. The large number of injured people, means the Red Cross need to top up their supplies – and not just this week, but also over the next few weeks and months. Because blood has a short shelf life, the Red Cross are trying to stagger their stocks. If you want to give blood the best thing to do is register on the Red Cross’s website. They will then be in contact, to make an appointment with you. This gives them guaranteed and sustainable supplies.
10 February, 2009
Comments
My heart goes out to everyone who is affected by these fires and to the families of those who have died. I read recently that the authorities believe that the fires were intentionally set and if so, I hope that if they catch the person or people who did it, that they throw the book at them.
I’m glad you and your family are okay. It’s hard to fully imagine the scale of these fires.
Kathryn so glad to read you are safe and far from these terrible fires. As you say, you live in a harsh country. We watched distressing interviews with survivors on the news last night. And CANNOT imagine that there really are people who would set fires deliberately in such conditions.
Joanna
Coles supermarkets have a fundraiser on this friday 13 Feb – a portion of their take goes to the Red Cross and they also will have collection tins. Donations have passed $30 million – it’s quite inspiring.
Now, look I don’t know how to make links work in comments, but I reckon you should see Shula’s post today replete with divine pic from the Herald Sun of a thirsty koala.
http://poppalina.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/02/thirsty-koalas.html
Please don’t forget the animals if donating. I’ve seen what fire can do to wildlife first hand and it is simply awful. Can’t stop crying, me, so that Koala made me smile.
CFA are brilliant. Wish I coud do more to help them – wonderful people.
Hey Kathryn,
Thanks for posting this, it’s just so heartbreaking to watch as these tradgic events unfold. But, it really is so encouraging to see how the Australian people are pulling together, the sense of community is immense.
Lucy – thanks for the link to Shula’s site. I saw the picture on the ABC news, but didn’t realise there was a separate appeal being run for wildlife rescue.
Ms. 45 good reminder about the Coles shopping day – so many people are collecting funds. Our local cafe has converted it’s tip jar to a collection point.
Leave a comment