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--- Bushfire emergency (http://www.gatchamania.net/threadid.php?threadid=2338)
Posted by Madilayn on 08-02-2009 at 08:03:
Bushfire emergency
The people of Victoria, and to a lesser extent New South Wales and South Australia and Queensland all need your good thoughts and prayers.
Victoria is currently being devastated by wildfires - as I write this the news report says that 65 people have been confirmed as killed - and the toll is likely to increase as the fireys come across burnt out cars and homes.
Some towns have been obliterated - the scenes look like a nuclear blast.
New South Wales and South Australia have also had bushfires but not to the same extent.
Too add insult to all this, in far north Queensland the towns of Tully, Ingham and Townsville are under water for the third time in the past 2 weeks. There are people missing in these floods, including a small boy who has been taken by a croc in a flooded river.
You may remember INgham as being the town destroyed by Cyclone Larry a few years ago - and now this. These towns are also running out of food and fresh water.
Please - your good thoughts are needed for us at the moment. Mother Nature seems to have decided to test the population of Australia.
__________________
"When I'm old, I don't want them to say of me, "She's so charming." I want them to say, "Be careful, I think she's armed." -G. Stoddart
Posted by Hinotori on 08-02-2009 at 13:26:
Maddy, thank you for the update on what's occurring in Australia. The American news has just started really picking up the story. My prayers are with all those who's lives have been touched by these natural disasters.
I've been thinking about you and Ebony, and all the people effected by this. Please keep us updated about the situation. 
__________________
Hinotori
Eagle in Charge
Posted by Springie on 08-02-2009 at 13:30:
Oh my! I hadn't heard about this! I'll check it out on the net. I'll keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers! Keep us updated girls!
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Posted by clouddancer on 08-02-2009 at 14:50:
I was hearing about all this yesterday on the news. My thoughts are with you and everyone living in Southern Australia.
__________________
Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
Posted by gogirl212 on 08-02-2009 at 15:23:
I only get the most rudimentary of local news these days and none of this has made it on the stations in rural illinois. What a horrible situation - my thoughts go out to you and hope all stay safe. Is there any organization (like the Red Cross) collecting donations to help the relief effort?
__________________
There are few problems that a swift kick to the head by a highly trained ninja can't solve.
Posted by lborgia88 on 08-02-2009 at 16:01:
I'd heard something about this last week, but I had no idea it was so widespread! My thoughts are with you, our other Aussie gatchamaniacs, and everyone in these areas of Australia.
Posted by SJ_SwanJun on 08-02-2009 at 16:06:
Oh my gosh...
I was only talking about this with my mum last night -- she lives in Yeppoon, near Rockhampton, and was telling me that 40 people had been killed in the fires and with the flooding and heatwaves that Eastern Australia was going through considerable hell.
She said they're calling it Black Saturday ...
My hopes, prayers and wishes definitely go out to my people back home!
I'm somewhat shocked that the Canadian news stations haven't really picked this up ...
Maddy, I know you are one of the people who are out there in the thick of it trying to coordinate emergency teams and what-not, so dear, take a deep breath and know we're all thinking of everyone back home!!
Thanks for letting us know what's happening..
SJ
__________________
Sighhh
Why do men snore when lying on their backs?
Because their balls fall over their butt holes and they vapour lock.
Posted by Transmute Jun on 08-02-2009 at 18:17:
My thoughts are with you and the people affected by these disaster, Maddy.
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Posted by gatchgirl on 08-02-2009 at 19:48:
Maddy, thank you for the better update. Local news coverage only briefly mentions it. I'll keep you all in my prayers.
__________________
" No gratitude needs to be voiced, your mind speaks to us!"
Racer by day, Feather Thrower all the time!
Posted by Madilayn on 08-02-2009 at 21:07:
News is worse and worse. There are now 108 people confirmed killed in these fires - many of them killed in their cars trying to escape, or caught in their houses.
It's a tragedy, and even the fireys are loosing morale - simply becaue of the deaths they are discovering.
I have some friends who have lost their home - and, unfortunately, some others who are missing.
__________________
"When I'm old, I don't want them to say of me, "She's so charming." I want them to say, "Be careful, I think she's armed." -G. Stoddart
Posted by shamrokchick on 08-02-2009 at 21:44:
I hadn't heard of this yet, but it sounds terrible. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone.
__________________
"They say the Titanic sank because it hit an iceberg, but that must have been Galactor's fault too."
Posted by Madilayn on 09-02-2009 at 21:58:
For me, personally, the news has been the worst. I have had confirmation that 12 friends have died. The amazing thing is that of those friends - 6 knew each other. The others were all from different aspects of my life, and it's meant that this tragedy has touched me through every single aspect - old school friends, professional, and my hobbies and fandoms - the only one that seems to be untouched is Gatch/BotP.
I also have other friends who thought they were going to die - but the fire completely jumped their house. All around, everything is black, with houses flattened. Their house - a 100 year old cottage - is untouched. They, and the neighbours who were caught there with them, are thanking god every second that he watched over them. The neighbours have lost everything.
__________________
"When I'm old, I don't want them to say of me, "She's so charming." I want them to say, "Be careful, I think she's armed." -G. Stoddart
Posted by Springie on 09-02-2009 at 22:06:
Oh no...Maddy, that is just awful. I am so sorry to hear this...
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Posted by clouddancer on 09-02-2009 at 22:34:
Maddy, to lose so many who you know .... I am so sorry to hear this. 
__________________
Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
Posted by Condorfan on 09-02-2009 at 23:41:
Maddy, I am deeply saddened about your loss. My prayers are with you and all those in Australia.
__________________
Old age is a high price to pay for maturity.
Posted by shamrokchick on 10-02-2009 at 03:41:
Maddy I'm sorry to hear of your loss of so many friends... I just saw this on the news the other day but just briefly here.
__________________
"They say the Titanic sank because it hit an iceberg, but that must have been Galactor's fault too."
Posted by veritas on 10-02-2009 at 08:10:
Its been getting a lot of in depth coverage here and , well, you cant really put into words what an awful situation it is, seeing people on the news who have lost friends, family , everything. I hope the fires are bought under control soon.
PS - I also hope the arsonists who have been setting some fires get their come uppence.
Posted by Springie on 10-02-2009 at 10:28:
I was just watching this on the news...and yes, I hope they find the demented murderers who started the fires! They just said that Pres. Obama is sending aid... I was hoping the US would help out!
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Posted by lborgia88 on 10-02-2009 at 15:36:
Maddy, I'm so sorry that you've lost friends. My heart goes out to you, and to everyone affected by this tragedy.
Posted by Madilayn on 10-02-2009 at 20:24:
Yes - some of the US wildfire specialists are coming over to help from California.
__________________
"When I'm old, I don't want them to say of me, "She's so charming." I want them to say, "Be careful, I think she's armed." -G. Stoddart
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