Update

by Bec 1:17 PM 18 comments Flood thank you update

Thank you so much to all of you that took the time to read and even more to those that also took the time to comment on my last post. I really means so much to me that you all care about people who are strangers and possibly on the other side of the world.

I don't really have enough time to reply to every single message at the moment, so this thank you is to every single wonderful reader that I have out there.

My dog Buster

 In other crap news, my beautiful dog ran away on Saturday and I have spent the whole weekend alternating between crying and looking for him, sometimes doing both at the same time. The good news is that I have managed to track him down through the RSPCA. A lovely man took him in for the weekend, which is probably why I was not having any luck tracking him down. I have called the man and left a message, so hopefully by the end of today I should be reunited with my dog! So things are starting to look up.

The thing that has blown me away the most over the last few days is the kindness of strangers. I don't know if this is being reported overseas, but strangers not affected from the flooding, some driving for hours to get here, have been showing up in suburbs badly damaged and have been helping people throw out the water damaged items, rip out walls, hose and sweep away the toxic sludge that covers everything and even deliver beer, food and water. It makes me realise that the Aussie Spirit is alive and well and it is just bringing hope to a devastated country when it needs it the most.

Just one of the flood damaged streets in inner Brisbane

The flooding has continued to make it's way down the coast of Australia, reaching Victoria which is the southernmost state on the mainland. It's still causing massive damage and destruction. Victoria has really copped it in the last few years. It has been battered by storms, flooding and of course, the bush fires that raged through the state resulting in the loss of 173 live and 414 injuries. It was the largest bushfire in Australian history with as many as 400 fires reported on 7th February 2009, which has since been known here as Black Saturday. Images such as this one of a wild koala so thirsty it was drinking from a drink bottle offered by a fireman were broadcast over the world.

Australia is a large country (around 7.5 million square kms) with a relatively small population of around 22.5 million people. Most of this area is uninhabitable due to it being in the desert, but most of our suburbs and towns are surrounded by bushland and greenery, unlike many other countries I have been to. However this makes bush fires a danger that are simply a sad reality to people that live in smaller country towns.

Sorry, I went off on a bit of a tangent there. My point was that Australia gets battered around by flooding, cyclones, torrential rain and bush fires on a regular basis, but never to the extent of the flooding now and the bush fires that occurred two years ago and that it overwhelms me that people still continue to find generosity in their hearts to help and support people when they need it the most even though it is likely that many of them are still recovering from one of these things themselves.

So a big thank you for everyone, for your thoughts, your prayers and your general well wishes. It really means a lot.

Be awesome to each other.

Bec