Australian Bushfires

[KellyD]

Hi Everyone

I would just like to ask everyone to pray for the hundreds maybe thousands of victims of what may well be the worst bushfires in Australian history. So many people have lost everything they own as well as loved ones. Whole towns have burnt to the ground and entire families have perished. At the time of writing this the official death toll is 173 with many more still missing. But in true Aussie style our financially struggling nation have rallied together and have dug deep into their already cash strapped pockets and donated around $15 million with donations climbing fast. The rate is around $1 million an hour! Thankfully I live nowhere near the firezone, I live at the other end of the country, the area that is surrounded by floods but my in-laws live in the middle of it all and so far have been lucky and are safe from all the fires. Hopefully it stays that way.

[skillefer]

I'll keep you, your in-laws, and your fellow Aussies in my prayers.

[dfwtexas]

I will definitely say a prayer for your fellow Aussies. I visited there in about a decade ago and fell in love with the country and people there.

[CQ:)]

Hi kelly

I'm about 2 hours from the current towns at risk from the bushfires. Thankfully the fires havent come near where I am yet but it has been smokey outside for the last 3 days.

I believe this is definatly the worse bushfires in Australian history & February 7 will always be known as Black Saturday.

I am thinking of all the families at risk from the bushfires. My heart goes out to all the people who lost their homes, pets, loved ones & their own lives.

[KellyD]

Whereabouts do you live CQ? My inlaws are in Kyabram.

[brain]

I still haven't heard anything from my friend
from "down under" ... and I'm so worried!



The last email I received was several weeks ago
and to quote part of it:

...everything over here and even my favourite place is so damned dry...

We had been friends for years, and I have no
idea if their home had been impacted or not,
or if they fled over to her mother's home away
from the area. One thing I know is, her mom
does not have internet access; so all I can do
(plus many of her US friends here too) is just
wait. Her other Aussie friend from the other side
had been trying to phone her but it's dead, and
to drive over is totally out of the question.



All my sympathies and sorrows to all those in Australia
and especially to those who have lost their homes,
loved ones, pets, and so much more ... it is a terrible
tragedy!

[CQ:)]

Whereabouts do you live CQ? My inlaws are in Kyabram.

I'm on the NSW/Vic border Kelly, about 2 hrs from Beechworth/Yackandandah.

The Sunday before the bushfires some friends & I went to the mountains for a drive & bush walk. The place we went to was near Mt Beauty so pretty sure it was affected by the bushfires the other day.

[KellyD]

Brain there are information hotlines and things you can try to find her. I don't know what the number is if calling outside Australia but her other friend you know might be able to call for you. The details I found are:

Information

Concerned about loved ones? 1800 727 077 (Red Cross)

Victorian Bushfire Hotline 1800 240 667

Or go to CFA's site at www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Get CFA emergency updates on the incident summary page.

For Bushfire compensation, call 180 22 11

[KellyD]

Well stay safe CQ, I will be thinking of you. And Brain I hope you hear from your friend soon and all is well.

[CQ:)]

Well stay safe CQ, I will be thinking of you. And Brain I hope you hear from your friend soon and all is well.

Thanks Kelly

There isnt too much bushland near where I live so hopefully we will be fine.

[Crazy Monkey]

I have been watching the wildfires on TV and ever since day one, all of the Aussies affected by these have been in my thoughts, I am hoping and praying for an end to all of the fires soon.

[CQ:)]

I still haven't heard anything from my friend
from "down under" ... and I'm so worried!



The last email I received was several weeks ago
and to quote part of it:



We had been friends for years, and I have no
idea if their home had been impacted or not,
or if they fled over to her mother's home away
from the area. One thing I know is, her mom
does not have internet access; so all I can do
(plus many of her US friends here too) is just
wait. Her other Aussie friend from the other side
had been trying to phone her but it's dead, and
to drive over is totally out of the question.



All my sympathies and sorrows to all those in Australia
and especially to those who have lost their homes,
loved ones, pets, and so much more ... it is a terrible
tragedy!

Hi Brain

Have you had any word from your Aussie friend yet?

[Shelley]

I have a friend on another forum that I have not heard from. Anybody know how close Queensland is?

[ziggidypoo]

Praying! I have an elderly online couple friends in Australia, I think in NSW????? I will have to see if I can contact them. Bless your country.

[KellyD]

Shelley I am in Qld and it is far away from the fires. She isn't in the flood area is she? That's in the north in Ingham.

[joan]

I hope the worst is over and everyone safe.

joan*

[Shelley]

she finally e-mailed last night, and said she is 1000 miles away (no, not km).
She is safe, but very busy. She is writing a book.

[KellyD]

I am glad you heard from her Shelley and can stop worrying now!

[LuvMyTwins]

You all have all the love and (((hugs))) from all of us here in our home.---LMT

[Meetz1064]

and positive thoughts coming the Aussie way from over here.......