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Blogs by Meg Leigh
Droughts and flooding rains 2/11/2009 7:27:29 PM
Seems like most of Autralia is facing one kind of trauma or another. With bushfires raging out of control in Victoria, and flood running rampant in Northern Queensland, it seems as though Australia is undergoing more than her fair share of trauma and tragedy this year.
Already, more than 180 people have been reported dead in the devastating fires that swept across the state of Victoria last weekend.
Whilst the loss of life in the flood stricken areas is far less, the loss of property and livelihood is just as devastating. Damage bills are climbing into the billions.
And here I sit in the southeastern corner of Queensland, basically in between these two separate disasters and wonder what will happen if they should decide to meet in the middle?
Between my area and Victoria lies the state of New South Wales. A fire would have to burn a long way to get here, but it's not impossible.
Between my area and the flood stricken North there is less distance. With high rainfall in my area as well, flooding is not unheard of, nor impossible. Wouldn't it be nice if all those millions of gallons of water could suddenly be shifted south to douse the flames down that end of the country.
For those of us physically untouched by these disasters, the emotional impact is still there to be dealt with. I have friends and family in both places. Worry for them is a constant companion.
Add all of this to the fact that my partner's father is in serious condition with heart and kidney failure and an bacterial infection, and I could begin to question what I have done to deserve this?
I don't question, though. Disaster, trauma, tragedy, are not punishments in my eyes, but opportunities.
Now is a time when Australians get to pull together, to demonstrate our famous sense of "Mateship" to dig deep into our hearts and our pockets to assist our countrymen in need.
Now is the time when we get to show each other, and the world how great it is to live in this sunburnt country, this "land of sweeping plains
of ragged mountain ranges
Of drought and flooding rains"*
We will rise to the challenge. We already have. Millions of dollars have been raised to aid the people worse affected by these disasters.
We will roll up our sleeves, rebuild, clean up, and go on.
I love being Australian. Wouldn't trade it for quids!
