We saw quite a heated discussion in the last 24 hours in a thread that had over 100 responses and over 5000 views. It showed that people were passionate on either side of the fence of the issue discussed. Now let’s see if people are willing to put their money where their mouth is or was.
We all have heard about the Australian Red Cross effort to raise money for the Australian Bushfire 09 victims. Almost 200 people have lost their lives and countless others have been injured and lost their homes.
Let us now see if slowtwitchers can actually make a difference. Here is the link to donate money online to the Aussie Red Cross:
From an Australian I say thank you for your thoughtful gesture, Herbert.
Watching our evening news is quite amazing as the south of Oz around Melbourne is burning yet the far north is inundated with some of the biggest floods in years. Fortunately for me I am situated in southern Queensland which is virtually midway between these 2 locations, however you can’t help but be moved by the images that you see.
It is also times like this that make you really proud to be Aussie as the indomitable spirit comes to the fore and everyone just pirches in and helps out.
I actually laughed watching the news the other night as a guy from North Queensland was interviewed after being flooded; " nah, she’ll be right mate, everythings gone, there’s nothin’ left ta worry about"…
That is what will get these poor people through, the spirit and the mateship.
The fires have hit us hard here but Victoria WILL bounce back, thanks for highlighting this cause Herbert.
Most of the Melbourne based triathletes, road/recreational cyclists, runners, orienteers, rogainers, bushwalkers and mountain bikers will have run/ridden/hiked through the fire grounds. The Humevale hill generally has 50-100 riders go up sat and sunday. Humevale was devastated as was Kinglake West at the top of that hill. Others ride up to Kinglake via Hurstbridge and many runners use the cool forests of the Kinglake N.P. for their long runs.
Today I was looking at photos of Pine Ridge Road in Kinglake West. I have run up the steep track from Strathewan to where this photo was taken many times. All but one house was destroyed. The fire had stormed through the forests to the south wiping out Humevale and Strathewan then the wind changed and blew it on top of them in minutes. There was nowhere to run. Flames were 50m high, trees and houses were exploding…
It’s too horrifying to try and imagine.
I agree! I too am so proud to be an Aussie - the spirit and mateship shown this week is truly amazing and why we are who we are. This small country of 20 million people in the midst of an economic crisis has raised just over 100 million dollars in the appeal. That is not to mention the truck loads of food, clothing & furniture being sent to the survivors.
To the CFA volunteers - you are bloody legends & we thank you!
Herbert, with all due respect - and with respect to those in the areas that burnt. One of our own now needs help - she was a large part of the Chicago Tri Club and a very frequent contributor to Slowtwitch. I try to give to as many people in need as I can as I myself have in the past been on the other side of it. However, I would hope that if a member has $5.00 to spare - they would send it to the care to Gazelle before they would to some people who are half way around the planet.
Defame me if you want…but I always prefer to help those that are close to home and close to my heart first.
Those people MAYBE 1/2 way around the planet from YOU mate. They are 40km from me. Many other S’twitchers are based in Aus and other parts of the world.
I have made donations to the victims of natural disasters in many other continents and will do so again. If you tell me the issues involved with Gazelle I’ll happily find a few of my limited spare $ to donate if circumstances warrant it. I hope you and other ST’s will respond in a similar manner to the 7000 or so Victorians who have lost their homes.
Thanks for that mate. Will post out a donation asap. What a sad state of affairs that in such a wealthy country people have to find the money for medical expenses out of their own pocket. Woops I guess that could start off a whole lot of controversy, still I grew up in a community not a corporate company…
