I wanted to share my thanks and gratitude with all of my friends on AP who have left messages for me about the sad state of my home and its bushfire crisis...with more than a month of summer temperatures to go, this situation will not ease for sometime. I am a lucky one. Far enough away to have outlasted the horror.What black soot I collected washed off easily.
My nearby fellow Australian's were not so lucky and as of today there are 5000 homeless, living on football ovals in tents kindly erected by the army. Supplied and fed by the many generous people who's outpouring of help and donations have eased the suffering with their gifts.
The fireman who in the main are volunteers have tirelessly since early Saturday fought these wild fires and still are hard at it today. Of the 11 fires that raged on Saturday, 4 are still posing threats to communities, with an expected rise in temps this coming weekend, the danger is not over.
I know you, all over the world mourn with us here on the 181 people who have lost their lives in this tragedy. The fires too fierce to outrun even with good fireplans in place. My heart goes out to those left to wonder why and who face the future with uncertain steps. 750 homes have ceased to exist, some without insurance. Cars, much loved pets and irreplaceable heirlooms and memories are all gone. What is left is something that is akin to an atomic bomb. The beautiful little hamlet townships of KingLake, Marysville,Buxton, Flowerdale and Narbethong, not forgetting Pheasant Creek, Wandong and more...are now no more. They have been wiped off the map and ceased to exist by Saturday night.
For the few who were blessed to have their houses still standing, the road closures have cut them off from the rest of us. They have no power, no water and no food being able to get to them. All efforts are being made to get the much needed supplies to them but it is difficult with the fires unpredictable nature.
I know I can say on behalf of all Victorians and Australians that I sincerely thank each and every one of you who have expressed their sympathy and also to the many who have indeed donated money to the fund via the Red Cross website....Australians appreciate you all.
With Aussie pride and mateship, we will overcome and rebuild lives and houses, knowing that the rest of the world has a heart,makes it even better...This will be an ongoing fight for sometime but we will make it...
Thank you so much AP
My nearby fellow Australian's were not so lucky and as of today there are 5000 homeless, living on football ovals in tents kindly erected by the army. Supplied and fed by the many generous people who's outpouring of help and donations have eased the suffering with their gifts.
The fireman who in the main are volunteers have tirelessly since early Saturday fought these wild fires and still are hard at it today. Of the 11 fires that raged on Saturday, 4 are still posing threats to communities, with an expected rise in temps this coming weekend, the danger is not over.
I know you, all over the world mourn with us here on the 181 people who have lost their lives in this tragedy. The fires too fierce to outrun even with good fireplans in place. My heart goes out to those left to wonder why and who face the future with uncertain steps. 750 homes have ceased to exist, some without insurance. Cars, much loved pets and irreplaceable heirlooms and memories are all gone. What is left is something that is akin to an atomic bomb. The beautiful little hamlet townships of KingLake, Marysville,Buxton, Flowerdale and Narbethong, not forgetting Pheasant Creek, Wandong and more...are now no more. They have been wiped off the map and ceased to exist by Saturday night.
For the few who were blessed to have their houses still standing, the road closures have cut them off from the rest of us. They have no power, no water and no food being able to get to them. All efforts are being made to get the much needed supplies to them but it is difficult with the fires unpredictable nature.
I know I can say on behalf of all Victorians and Australians that I sincerely thank each and every one of you who have expressed their sympathy and also to the many who have indeed donated money to the fund via the Red Cross website....Australians appreciate you all.
With Aussie pride and mateship, we will overcome and rebuild lives and houses, knowing that the rest of the world has a heart,makes it even better...This will be an ongoing fight for sometime but we will make it...
Thank you so much AP
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Chez
I heard that they have found and named a guy who was responsible for setting one of the fires. Man...whatever made him do such an awful thing?
You and your fellow Aussies will prevail. My heart goes out to each and every one of you. Your pain is our pain for we are all one. 
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This to me is beyond comprehension, such devistation and loss of life. It is bad enough to think on this as an act of God, but arson!!
May you keep well Cheryl and I know that you join in with the rest of us with prayers that it will be over soon. God Bless Australia. Val -
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Thanks Val, Yes I pray the fire will be out, sadly the haunting images will last much longer
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Not much word of this in the States, but some of us dig a little deeper. It seems we here are too caught up in our own political miasma to look beyond our noses.
It is so sad what has happened there -- whatever the end result, nothing can bring back those who have been lost. Our prayers are with their families at this time.
My grandmother was Australian, so there is some Aussie blood in these veins, not to mention some distant cousins who are spread out all over the continent . . . so this has a little more meaning to me. I will be contacting the Red Cross website presently.
You take care and stay safe.
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Thank you Garrison, every little bit helps because these people in effect have no identity, nothing...it is a sad rebirth and one some may never recover from, but we will try to show them the world does not leave them stranded
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You're more than welcome
Reading and watching the news, when the talk's about arson. You can only comfort the victims, and pray that whoever did this, will find justice, maybe not in this world, but when he or she's judged. These are changing times, hopefully the "human" stays in humanity, which I still have hope in...Never forget the communities that were "wiped" off the map, for they'll forever live, and God willing, should be rebuilt. smile...and persevere. David -
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They have identified one of the major fires as arson, the Marysville fire which saw 100 people die was deliberately lit, the rest are acts of nature but it does not lessen the fierceness of them or the total devastation. Will be a long time before these scars heal.
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I can't believe I was so horribly unaware of this tragedy, my dear friend. I am ashamed. As of today; I will keep all of your mates in my prayers, and you as well. Please forgive my ignorance. I have been hiding from the world for so long now... Know that you, and those who are suffering from this horror, will be deeply planted in my heart and in my thoughts & prayers. I could only hope that my arms could be big enough to embrace you all. Sending hugs and prayers to you, dear one.
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Thank you so much my friend, yes the news filters slowly, in truth the pictures are so horrific I'd imagine it is hard for most to view, me included, not only people and posessions but much loved pets and they say millions of wildlife species have been taken too. It looks like a lunar landscape...we will always hold the ones lost in our memories and help the families move on C
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Well done Cheryl...
This is such a horrible thing that I don't even know what I want to say to you about your informative write. I am sure that there are so many who don't have any idea of the enormity and total devastation that these fires have/are causing.
I applaude you for posting this column
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Thanks Julie, so many lovely messages of concern on here I thought it only proper to say how much we as Aussies appreciate the care shown C
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Between flood and fire do not have any words.
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My friend
We have similar experiences here in South Africa, and no matter where in the world, this remains a tragedy. I listened with horror on my way to work of the fires and its effect. While plants and animals are harmed, it is also with sadness that I think of those that died in the flames. This is a horrible death. For those that remain behind, this must be a difficult time having to cope with loss, their thoughts, and for some, having to start life again. I opened AP this morning to visit each of my favourites to see if they are Australians and then to send them a posting, but I noticed your posting first. I am blessed by the fact that you are safe. Thank you taking time to provide us with information. Take care and know that while I am far, my heart is near. Frans -
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Thank you my dear Frans, There is no distance that prevents us all from being neighbors C
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My heart bleeds for those affected by these bushfires. Whether they have lost family, friends, neighbors or property makes no difference to the trauma they have experienced and survived. Wildfires like those of last Saturday are unpredictable and there is no defence against them. I pray for a return to a normal life for them and a speedy rebuilding of their homes and businesses.
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Thanks, I am sure all of us feel the same way C
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It is times like this most of us feel helpless but somehow manage to give something no matter how little to try and ease the pain of those who are suffering. This column effectively sums up the horrific situation so many have found themselves caught in the middle of. Lets hope the weather conditions improve and the damn arsonists are captured so that some semblence of peace can be obtained.
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Thanks, yes the fund has so far raised a staggering $38million in just over 3 days...it's been amazing how we have rallied, corporate and individuals alike. Makes me proud to be an Aussie C
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yes the aussie spirit is still strong and proud despite the harsh economic climate. I am glad to be an Aussie.
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Awww....I had no idea until earlier today that these fires were existing! I dont get to the news much
I am so sorry to hear about this!! My heart, prayers, and hopes go out to all of you!!
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Thank you Jodi, the death toll will rise significantly, there is so much debris for the police to have to sift through. Sadly this has no happy outcomes for the thousands who are still searching for their families...so many children gone and so many parents too...it breaks my heart. Thanks you so much for your kind wishes Chez
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My heart goes out to ALL of you!!!
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Thanks sis, I know you are thinking and praying for them all C
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Yes indeed!
I just feel so bad, like all these unimportant things we tend to fret over on the day to day basis, and there are people across the world losing their lives, their homes, all that they know as LIFE itself. It is humbling, and really makes you think about what would you do? ... If it were you, your loved ones, your town etc.
& thank you for letting all who might not have known hear/see your words.
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It was something I wanted to do, so many of you wonderful people have asked how I was doing, it means a lot that across the miles we still touch hands and hearts C
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aw a heartfelt write you and australians a like are in my prayers and with faith hope and courage you with make itmaralisa
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Yes M we will make it C
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Wonderful column. So very heartfelt. Thank you for writing.
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