More news from the bushfire state

Thanks to everyone who has commented, it's amazingly comforting. And thank you as well to those of you who have texted me over the last few days to check if I was okay! That was awesome of you, and gave me a little warm fuzzy despite everything to know that you care ♥ I know some of you may have other Aussie's on your flist, but for some of you I might be the only one. It's depressing to see so many sad posts, but I think all we Aussies are just so devastated at the moment, we all need to talk about it to try and come to terms with the complete horror of it all.

I don't live in an area which is currently under threat - however, I'm not awfully far from it, and I do live in an area which has historically suffered from summer grassfires in our valley, pretty much all of which are deliberately lit. Everyone here is on edge, waiting for some fucking asshole to do it. It's SO DRY here - everything is brown and it wouldn't take much. Fires started at Wilson's Prom from lightning strikes during the storm.

Whittlesea is just a short trip up the road from work, and going to and from work today there were fire trucks and ambo's racing up the freeway, presumably to those areas. Our senior academic staff had been headed up to Beechworth for a staff retreat this weekend and were thankfully stopped at the last minute. I heard a rumour around campus today that one of the buildings at our Bendigo campus was lost in the fires, and there are a number of staff living in the surrounding areas which have not yet been accounted for. Students due to start courses and enrol this week have been calling to say they've been evacuated, or have just left out of fear. It's a total nightmare.

Like I said last post, our Christmas holiday's were often spent in Marysville - there's virtually nothing left there. According to this report, police have actually had to block the roads to prevent people entering the town, because there are literally bodies lying in the street. I particularly remember a very hot Christmas there in 1994, twelve of us staying in Rose Cottage, going to mass in the little old church, and for some reason, I particularly remember buying Bulla raspberry yoghurt and a pack of pink scented candles at a little grocer/milk bar. I can't wrap my head around the fact that somewhere I've been is just gone. My girlfriend in Kilmore said they watched the fires burn around them all night Saturday, and they were lucky to still have their home when many of their friends and neighbours lost them. I just can't believe it.

The latest death toll is over 130.

Many people on my flist have posted this information, but I've specifically copied the following from huggenkiss and meredyth_13:

(from huggenkiss)

How you can help

To donate to the Red Cross State Government Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund:

* Visit www.redcross.org.au
* Phone 1800 811 700
* Any NAB, ANZ, Westpac or Commonwealth Bank branch
* Any Bunnings store
* By direct deposit to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund - BSB 082-001, Account number 860-046-797

People wanting to help victims have been asked to give money rather than goods. Donations can be made by calling 13 72 58 or via the Salvation Army website www.salvos.org.au

Myer Bushfire Appeal
* All proceeds to the Salvation Army. Donate at any Victorian Myer store.


(from meredyth_13)

"While there are already major services in place to support the human casualties, and even our wildlife rescue groups are visible and have networks in place, the emergency evacuation and housing of large animals like horses is problematic, especially when they may end up in less than ideal temporary housing and many are injured or stressed. Feed, medical supplies and equipment are vital. As I find out more about the relief support effort, I will be posting information on how people can help. This is something very close to my heart, as it the plight of our wildlife and domestic animals injured and displaced by this horrific week.

In the meantime, if you want to assist the services with a donation of any kind, the links are:

Australian Red Cross

http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/services_emergencyservices_victorian-bushfires-appeal-2009.htm

Salvation Army

http://salvos.org.au/

Animal Aid (who are coordinating the rescue and housing of domestic animals displaced by the crisis and medical treatment of injured animals)

http://www.animalaid.com.au/

Wildlife Services

http://www.wildliferescuers.org.au/index.html
http://www.wildlifeadvocate.com/who_to_call.htm
http://www.wires.org.au/index.php
http://www.wildlifeshelter.org.au/menu.htm
http://www.helpforwildlife.com/bushfires/please_help.html
http://www.wrap.org.au/

and if you want to keep up with local news

http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/bushfires/ "

Guys, if you pray - please pray for everyone here.

ETA: More from meredyth_13:

"Thank you to everyone who has offered to help spread the word on this for me. I am now assisting the Triple R Equine Welfare Inc, or TREW, who are the lead Crisis Relief organisation providing support for the many hundreds of people who are attempting to save their horses and other large animals during this bushfire crisis.

While both the human and wildlife aspects get a lot of attention, very little is being told about the countless struggles to save injured and evacuated livestock, especially horses. TREW are actively networking between those in need, and those who can provide assistance.

I am now working with them on a range of projects including finding FEED, TRANSPORT and EMERGENCY HOUSING for these animals, both in the short term, and longer, as this situation is not going to go away when the fires are eventually out. Entire properties have been razed to the ground, and without feed, shelter or fences, it will be impossible to relocate any time soon.

But these things don't always come cheap, especially medical supplies and transportation of bulk feed.

I don't ask for much from my network here, but if you can, please spare a few dollars to help us help those who are truly desperate. Moving and relocating a large animal, or several, especially injured or stressed animals, is a difficult and traumatic experience, especially when the rest of your world is falling apart.

TREW are a wholly voluntary organisation with very little monetary reserve. They are a registered Not for Profit organisation and donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Please donate to

http://triplerequinewelfare.org/main/page_resources_crisis_network.html

Go to the BOTTOM of the page and click on the DONATE link.

Every dollar will help.

And if you can, please spread the word. "