I do hope that all of our Australian friends are a safe distance from the fires ripping through their country. I saw an overhead view and it appeared that some of the southern and most all of the eastern coast were burning. I hope that those pics were exagerated. Good Luck Lanky and to all (and I do mean all). Respectfully, RP
I was just going to post this! My prayers are with the Australians in regards to the fires. I hope everything gets better FAST! Ken
Hi RoulettePlayer & Mr J.
Yes Mates its 6.45 am here Monday and its just been confirmed that there has been 180 deaths so far.
So You People that live in the state of Victoria and are Members here let us know You are alright.
I know Iwonder & Wiggy are from there.
Good On Ya Mates.
Lanky.
Hi forum
Just an update on the fires.
I live on the outskirts of Melbourne in the South east. None of the major blazes have come near us, thank god, however Sat**day was about the worst day I can remember in my 30 years in this town.
It hit 46.4 c. (that's 115.52 to the Fahrenheit boys) and the wind was a northerly travelling at 60kmph. So we had a massive hot wind on top of scorching temperatures. For those that don't know, I run a transport company and had guys on the road that day doing deliveries, so I was monitoring the local authorities web sites very intensely for news of fires.
I had to redirect 7 of my vehicles to avoid spot fires. This is outside the main blazes, across the state fires were breaking out literally every minute. I ended up calling my guys back and making a run for home, just after I finished talking to Lanky. The reason for this was that two grass fires near my house had become severe and I had a wife and two beautiful boys at home to get out. I arrived and watched the smoke and red haze of flames. We loaded our boys, wedding album and external hard drive containing all our digital memories in the car and drove for a direction that we considered safe.
As it turned out, the CFA (country fire authority) threw a bucketload of resources at the fires in our area and our house was safe.
I would like to stress that what I and my family went through was ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in comparison to other parts of the state. In reality we were always fairly safe and able to move around our area. But, on a day like Sat**day, it was a physical reality that anywhere, anytime, could turn into a tragedy.
Unfortunately, tragedy has struck in more than one region in our corner of the world. Some towns that I have spent holidays and day trips in no longer exist.
Marysville - A beautiful town 1.5 hours drive from the dead centre of Melbourne has two buildings standing
Narbethong - Just up the road from Marysville and renowned for the Tudor Lodge (the place to hire skiis on the way to Lake Mountain) is gone - except for one building
Kinglake - A town that became an outer suburb of Melbourne. No longer exists. This is where it really hit home for me. There was a strip of car parking in the centre of Kinglake that, whenever I had a delivery up there, I would pull in to check which street I was headed for. The reporter from the local news stood almost exactly where I used to stop and delivered his set piece to a backdrop of nothing but ash and smouldering ground. The last time I was up there, 3 months ago, there was a service (gas) station, a bakery, newsagent and four or five more shops in a strip where he was.
And it's still going. Fires have spread further north. I think, from where I believe Wiggy lives, that he is alright, but I don't know for sure, and I don't know where his family is from.
South East Australia has now officially become the worst bushfire region in the world. Previously we were tied with California and Southern France. These fires have tipped us to number one.
Some record huh?
But rest assured. We Aussies are strong. 80% of those fighting these fires are volunteers. In Victoria, it's called the CFA (Country Fire Authority), if you want your town/suburb to survive, you join and learn. When the flames come - we all get in there and save what we can. Those from other states - also volunteers come in to aid us.
This is a resilient country and a resilient people. We WILL survive. We WILL pull through and there WILL be a tomorrow.
I am sitting here now, folding clothing, as our trucks have now been dedicated to collecting and delivering donations of food, clothing and equipment to those who have nothing left.
As a worldwide community, I would ask for your prayers to those who have lost so much.
Cheers
Hi Iwonder.
We are Praying Mate.
And thank God that You & Your Partner are providing Your Trucking Business for such a great service to those in Need Mate.
And also thanks for ringing Me tonight & warning that this rotten thing is heading towards My Daughter & Grandson.
We Will Beat This As A Nation Mate.
I can Hear the Australian Spirit Shouting & Screaming Now in Defiance into the face of this Evil thing .....
Aussie..Aussie.. Aussie.
Love to Your Family Cobber.
Good On Ya Mate
Lanky
:o Hi Iwonder,
Jeez mate. I don't know what to say. All the best to you guys man and you are in our prayers. My wife's Uncle lives in Melbourne as well. If I was there I'd be bending my back as well mate.
You have a transport company. My wife's uncle works at the Freightliner plant I think. I might have my trucks mixed up, but it's at one of the truck factories.
Good luck to you all mate I know you Aussies are a tough bunch and will get through this just fine.
Cheers mate
Jakk
Dear Iwonder,
So sorry to hear that news, prayers to you and your beloved Australia for this to be overcome.
These times make us stand clear on what is really important: Family and survival.
May Lanky, Wiggy and all the aussie crew & their families be safe.
Victor
It is a horrible thing indeed.
I have talked to wiggy in the chat room yesterday so he's safe.
I truly hope all my aussie friends stay healthy and safe facing this monster.
All the best to you guys.
Your friend,
Marven
HI All
I am new member and live in eastern Melbourne. Although where we live hasn't been directly affected by the fire, however, Yarra Glen, the picturesque Winery Region which is like 40 minutes from where we live, has been struck by fire. Not to mention other places which were completely ravaged by fires as mentioned by Iwonder.
It will take time to rebuild, but rest assured it will be done.
Hopefully everyone's family and friends are safe and has been accounted for in this terrible tragedy where the death toll is still climbing :'(
Cheers
I thought I'd share the generosity of Melbournians (and Aussies in general).
My company put a call out to various clients and groups that we belong to for donations of food, clothing and equipment for bushfire relief. We had organised for the items to go to the Shire of Yarra Ranges, which includes Marysville. We had expected to collect a single truck load and that would be good.
I currently have seven truckloads ready and waiting to go, such has been the response. People have been looking at the list of requested items, and if they don't have them to give, are going out and buying them.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges has actually now told us that they can't use any more of the stuff and we are now sending more to Gippsland. We have had to stop taking donations, as we are struggling to find destinations for the remaining 7 truckloads in the warehouse.
The public reponse to this tragedy in Melbourne, and around Australia has been unbelievable.
Cheers
Great post Luke.
Thanks for letting Us Know Mate.
We are a tough Breed.
Lanky.
I should also mention a few more facts:
Our company is by no means alone in what it has done. When the Shire of Yarra Ranges ran out of need, it took me about three hours to find another outlet for the remaining goods. All charities, and distribution programs have been overwhelmed with donations.
In addition to this over 78 million dollars has been donated to the Red Cross Bushfire appeal. I don't have figures on the Salvation Army appeal, or other various rebuilding funds, but it is a lot.
I feel, as a nation, we should thank the worldwide community too, as of that 78 million, some 10.8 million has come from overseas.
So to all you Kiwis, Poms, Yanks, Saffas, and wherever else you have come from:
Thanks
This proves one thing:
We all care. We all know - It doesn't matter where you came from, where you're going, or what colour you might be. We are all human, doing what we can
And for that, I am truly grateful.
And may you know one more thing - if you're ever in need - us Aussies will be ready to jump in and show we too care for you.
Cheers