M57
SAD TIMES
February 09 2009
Comments
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RHP User
17 years ago
I personally believe that all of us RHP members should think about the Victorians and do what we can to contribute. Whether its show of support, donation, or going there to help in any way we can. I know a few of us West Aussies dig up whatever we can spare to send donations. And Coles is donating all its profits made on Friday to this appeal.. so don't go shopping until this Friday.. and make sure you go to COLES. Let us revive the great Aussie Spirit, and help each other in need. Show the world what it means to be Mates... DONATE!!! Sparty
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RHP User
17 years ago
This is a terrible devastation to so many people and to think it may have been lit purposely by someone is so hard to believe. How anyone could cause this destruction for some cheap thrills is beyond me. I feel like there is not much I can do but I will be donating money to those left with nothing, also maybe the simplest thing we can all do is to donate blood, they will be shipping it from all states to help those in need. To any and all rhpers who have family or are personally involved with this, my heart goes out to you. Hoping everyone is safe Mrs xxx
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RHP User
17 years ago
well said mate and You can help out by donating anything You can afford to the red cross cheers
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RHP User
17 years ago
I have just noticed on the home page that RHP has donated $5000 to the red cross bush fire appeal. Well done RHP Mrs xxx
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RHP User
17 years ago
As someone who grew up in some of these parts of Victoria. And still has family there. ( all safe, thank GOD )...I have donated $1000 dollars. And would like to thank RHP< and ever1 else that has dug deep to help. I was there for the Ash Wednesday fires....it happens so quick, so loud and so scary. A pray for those lost, A pray for those saved ...And to all the Firemen and woman.....Thank You for all your efforts then and ongoing Ink_Junkies
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RHP User
17 years ago
I totally applaud and support any efforts to bring comfort, security and safety to those people affected by the Victorian fires. I am proud to be an Australian when you see such a coming together of people as a nation to help those of us in such tragic circumstances. But when the shock passes one has to ask, why did so many die? We need to understand that bush fire is a natural feature of our environment. Our ecosystem relies on fire to propagate many plants. So the issue is not “if” there will be a fire but “when” will there be a fire. Notwithstanding the fact that some where lit by arsonists. The fires could have just as easily been lit by natural means. So why were so many unprepared to deal with this? While I am sure some of these deaths were the result of situations that were just not survivable. I believe that many were the result of poor decision making. Whether this is the result of panic or lack of knowledge and training is what needs to be ascertained. We must ensure that we learn from this tragic situation. Otherwise those deaths will have no meaning. It is possible for good to come from tragedy. I draw your attention Cyclone Tracy, the cyclone that that levelled Darwin in the 70’s. Research discovered why so many buildings lost their roofs thus collapsing. Building Codes were changed and now it is not common for a building to lose its roof in a cyclone. From the tragedy of Cyclone Tracy now the people in Northern Australia can safely shelter from a cyclone in their house knowing they are truly safe. I earnestly hope that the authorities and the learned institutions take this opportunity to understand what happened and put in place strategies so that bush fires can never take such a toll on life again. Ed
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RHP User
17 years ago
I'll be a first time blood donor for this as well as kicking in some cash. Something that pisses me off are the ppl collecting money but are really bogus collectors.. looters too. Can't understand how ppl can stoop that low.
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RHP User
17 years ago
We heard this the other day while watching the cricket in Adelaide. I'm not sure if it came spontaniously from the crowd or not....thats not the point....this is; Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong Under the shade of a coolibah tree And he sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled You'll come a-waltzing matilda with me Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda You'll come a waltzing matilda with me And he sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled You'll come a-waltzing matilda with me Down came a jumbuck to dri-ink at that billabong Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee And he sang as he stuffed that jumbuck in his tucker-bag You'll come a-waltzing matilda with me Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred Up rode the troopers, one, two, three "Where's that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker-bag?" You'll come a-waltzing matilda with me Up jumped the swagman and sprang into that billabong "You'll never take me alive!", said he And his ghost may be heard as you pa-ass by that billabong You'll come a-waltzing matilda with me ...... I am, you are, we are Australians. From the furthest side of the country.....we bleed for you all, our brothers, sisters, loved ones and countrymen. xxx love from the cheekies
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RHP User
17 years ago
My deepest thoughts to all who have lost friends or family members, i'm still waiting upon news of a indirect work collegue - so know the uncertainty for some of our members here in WA. As a person who lives in the hills, and has bushland I am just hoping that no deadbeat decides to start any fires out my way, we have had a few small ones but nothing big so far (touchwood). I've seen my fair share of bushfires as a volunteer with bushfire support (feeding fireys, towing disabled fire trucks etc) but none of my experinces would EVER compare to those faced by residents or emergency service personnel in Victoria. In response to comments by Baded, your 100% correct about a fire reliant ecosystem, which I might add is the same type we have here in Perth. I found it ironic that (from TV) one house is street was left untouched (remainder destroyed) due to careful planning by the owners - Ironically they were charged by the local shire for removing trees from thier property. Vindication that removing vegetation/fuel load does help control fire intensity. I just hope that lessons can be learnt from this tragic event and people are more aware of risks associated to living in bushland/hilly terrain. I did my bit today at work with a lunchtime bbq to raise funds along with shopping at coles $1.5 millon raised by 3pm local time (makes me wonder what coles profit margin actually is ?) Now that Mr Rudd has got is wish to hand out a small bonus to all working Australians I think its only fair that this money should go to those who have lost everything. To all please be safe for the remainder of summer
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RHP User
17 years ago
i agree. it has been a tragic week for all of australia and i hope that the people who have lost everything don't lose their faith in the true aussie spirit of mates helping mates when they're down. as for those parties that decided to destroy the lives and livelihoods of our fellow aussies, karma will nail you in the end, just remember that every dog has its day.
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RHP User
17 years ago
We live on one acre of bush in outer eastern suburbs of Melb. I was so worried on the Friday night before the fires on the Saturday I packed up all our presonal things in case we had to run. Luckily we didnt have a problem but it was so scarey. Now that the dust has settled I hope the pollies set in motion a national emergency system. They knew, as did I, Victoria was going to burn. The Army, Navy and Airforce should have been called in on the Friday to work with the CFA and anyone else that could do whatever they could to get ready for the fires. There should have been some strageic backburning done on the Friday and probably before. This didnt happen and the Army ended up comming in late sunday arvo. Too late I say. Brumby should have rang Rudd and pressed for action. We were all so lucky the temperature dropped on Sat night and remained low all last week. As I sit here I can smell smoke which is all over Melb as there are still dozens of uncontrolled fires burning all over Vic and even in some suburbs. The army should have shot the looters and any people they saw lighting fires. The one guy 'main' caught lighting many fires should go to jail for life and never be released. As an example to other firebugs. I do hope they learn from this. Our hearts go out to all who were touched by that Saturday. Lets hope we dont have another heat wave as the rest is tinder dry. Mars Mars
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RHP User
17 years ago
I read through the replys and we can point the finger who is at fault unfortunately there is 2 sides of the debate both have thier pros and cons however we are not the only creatures inhabit the planet. I agree that steps can be taken by various government to implement fire shelter same style as fallout shelter partly funded by the government in fire risk areas. The thing we all get out of this the humanity is willing to helps those that they do not know which makes me proud to be an Australian and the funds raised above 70 million is great news but that money is lttle comfort to the people who lost loves ones our support to manage these people to get through this loss Well done AUSTRALIA
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RHP User
17 years ago
this is mrs maryian last saturday is a day i wish had never happened i got a phone call earlier in the day from my daughter asking me to check on friends of ours in clonbinane, 1 of the first places hit, i called them they were on high alert they were instigating there fire plan, filling gutters with water getting the deisel generator organaised etc. anyway they told me that the wind could change and i should warn my ex husband it could come for them i immediatley called my ex, and like most people in there district ,45kms away, he told me nah it will never happen and laughed that i thought it could be a possibility. within 1.5hours i got a call " mary-anne dont panic, the kids are all right". I could not beleive it they were sitting in there dining room on a bush block in humevale when one of the kids looked out the window and saw the fire ON THE ROAD. i am forever grateful to my ex he grabbed the kids threw them in the car and drove through it. He told me on sunday night wnen he was alone , away from the kids , that they drove thru it . the kids were screaming, fire was going over the road and a burning kangaroo hit the bonnet of the 4wd. My beautiful children are alive they have no material possessions left but they are alive. This is my plea to the rhp people. PLEASE GIVE TO THIS APPEAL MY CHILDREN AND HUNDREDS MORE NEED TO GET A NORMAL LIFE BACK EVERY CENT MAKES THIS MORE POSSIBLE PLEASE HELP (for the record those who deliberatly light these fires need 30c therapy straight between there eyes they are like a dog that attacks someone PUT THEM DOWN ) from Mrs maryian
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RHP User
17 years ago
I'm with sparkiguy blood and money both being donated x Employer is matching our donations so i am donating via payroll (the money not the blood!) Love to all affected on RHP x Em
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RHP User
17 years ago
I am so greatful to have been accepted into this wonderful country 5 years ago and though I am unable to find suitable work in Coffs Harbour, but will remain here as it is too perfect to leave. I have volunteered to assist with the clean up through volunteer.gov. My background in Engineering and rigging has given me several large scale industrial fires experience using cranes. electro magnet retrieval systems and mobile crushing plants for the steel work. This reduces manpower and is far safer. I was put in touch with Yarrow Council's Engineering Div; 7 days ago and am still waiting for a reply. It would give me great honour to pay back a little something to this great people in Ozzie.
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RHP User
17 years ago
goin thru a fire myself in a small country town i know what it is like to be asked to leave your home and everything you own... my heart goes out to the ppl in victoria.... and having family in amongst the fires myself, luckely my mums sister only lost the lawn at the front of her house but every day opens her curtains and sees the devastation where there once was a lucious park across the rd and where ppl actually died trying to stop the fires to the mongrel who lit the churchill fires hmmm that is a cowardly act as you were meant to be a volunteer fire fighter .. i made myself watch the fire appeal on channel nine and lee kernaghan sang the song that most describes the heart and souls of the ppl who faced this devastation " spirit of the bush" they will stay strong and rebuild their communities ... take a moment to look at what is right in front of you as it may not be there tomoz
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RHP User
17 years ago
This is one that touches my heart in more ways than one... not only have I lost children in housefire, but am also waiting to hear about my other son in victoria..... I have been through this in the last 10 years, so have a fair idea what people are going through over there at the moment.... Money is needed and dontations of blood, clothes etc.. and also an ear.... or a shoulder... for those that have no one to talk to.... just knowing people care actually helps more than most would htink, not necessarily saying anything... just be there for those who have lost family, friend even pets..... My heart goes out in Empathy to all those involved XXX
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RHP User
17 years ago
When i heard of these fires.. i thought it was happening some where else in the world.. but it was happening in our own country.. I sat and was tranfixed to the tv.. couldnt switch it off... To all the families who have been touched by these fires.. my heart goes out to you.. to family and friends who have been waiting for news.. my heart goes out to you.. I saw RHP makin a genourous donation.. every where i go...i put money in tinnies.. Small change..is all is needed and it will add up.. Am proud to be an Australian.. that comes out always.. in need of those brothers and sisters that need us.. Australia Unite..xxx
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RHP User
17 years ago
ffinger, don't be so quick to jump to that conclusion and influenced by the media... Do you really think somebody started those fires???? Let see now, must have been a super hero to distribute the flame of the fire to so many vast and varied areas. l mean really!!! P.S Don't be one of the many suckers to donate your hard earned cash for a cause that only lines the pockets of the administration funding costs, do you really think the victims receive a penny... remember Banda Ache????
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RHP User
17 years ago
I have been through this type of thing.. and when money was raised.. i got it.... not every organisation rips people off.... and they have caught at least one of the firebugs who admitted he did it....
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RHP User
17 years ago
Gees lustylife you must be fun to hang out with! So you think that the money will be lining the pockets of people not afected by the fires? Thats a very sad picture of ausrtralian relief efforts. Please remember this is not indonesia and the red cross has promised that ALL of the money wiil go to the victims. Mikebike
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RHP User
17 years ago
Sorry to say but I really do have doubts about just how much money donated to the fire victims will actually go to them, but when you have nothing even 50% of the donations will go along way to helping these people. Dont stop giving Dev
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playfulminx
17 years ago
I don't have a problem with a portion of the donated money being used for administration. I mean, it's not like money can be dispersed magically to the appropriate people without human effort. A lot of people volunteer their time and energy to relief efforts but at the end of the day, you need paid staff too (unless you think these saints should just work full time for free?) Most organisations are transparent enough for me here in Australia. I trust they have their shite together and ensure those who benefit the most from donations are those in need.
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RHP User
17 years ago
I had exactly the same thought. But you know, if something opposes a popularly held belief, it just won't be acknowledged. There were SO MANY different fires ("fronts"?) that it would have taken a highly sophisticated and militarily coordinated effort across the state to light them at the same time. A team of arsonists??? Another point which gets no air. (This will not be popular because Homo Sapiens ARE the rulers of the Universe) - if you touch the pot belly, you get burned; if you drive your car with an open cup of coffee, you get burned; if you smoke in bed, sometimes you get burned. Get it? For the life of me I don't understand WHY people move for the "tree change", to get out of suburbia I assume, to be amongst nature I assume, only to fear the nature they move into. Stay in the cities for Godsake and go to the country for a holiday - don't terraform it. Ever heard of "heat islands"? This is where the average temperature is proven, worldwide, to be several degrees higher where there is concrete... Did you hear that the Victorian Firefighters Union wrote a letter to our Prime Minister demanding that he take more action on climate change? They felt that It was a major factor in the intensity of the fires. Heard of the Olway Ranges? Remember that name. There was a 30hectare area that was control burned on 10 April 2008. This did not make one bit of difference to the damage caused to it - it was devestated just as much as any other. It's all too easy to take on the opinions of others and it's so Goddamn boring! It's like being in high school again - nobody prepared to step outside the box. Sorry for the rant but it's just like gossip - it's dangerous. And the nedia knows this like they know how to spell their own name. All they have to do is print ONE story and people will believe it without question becuase we are to lazy to investigate for ourselves - we just ingest it like we ingest our toast mindlessly because we are late for work. Phew! Can you tell I'm passionate? Finally I'd like to end on a positive note. I WAS very inspired how the tragedy brought the nation together. "Greenies" care about people too. I know people who have family and friends who were also threatened - hopefully they are ok. Thank you.
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RHP User
17 years ago
the subject of administration costs for the Red Cross has been raised on several occassions on the Talk Back Radio programmes....it was one of the FIRST questions asked when it was obvious just how generous the Australian people were going to be. It was answered quite firmly...admin costs would be kept to a minimum and in some cases..there would be NO costs involved. We have to believe, rightly or wrongly, that the Red Cross WILL do the right thing and ensure that the majority of the money donated by the people of Australia for Australians will get to where it is needed most. Regards, Bren
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RHP User
17 years ago
I love it when you get passionate! Wildly cheering Mamm
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RHP User
17 years ago
you're a cynical lot. i'm surprised at how many people think the organizations will be milking or miss directing the funds. surely this should be the last thing on our minds? i think the bigger question is, why did so many people die. we had fires of similar intensity here in 1961. dwelling up was nearly melted to the ground and not a single life was lost. so why were so many people killed in victoria? we can blame lack of public education etc. but was there really more public education back in the late 1950s? i spent t fair amount of time reading about the fires after the event. it seems if you just went into your house and lay down on the floor while the fire front passed (only a few minutes), you then have time to go back outside and save your self before the house burns down. it seems it takes longer for your house to burn down than for the fire front to pass. so you survive. why did more people not know this? maybe they panicked or aussies are not the same survivable people we once were? is it just darwin at work? who knows? -shruggs- LRE (my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the dead)
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RHP User
17 years ago
This might not have anything to do with the fires, as we all understand and know our good Aussie people had no choice or chance, but Morph always says and educates his clients that there'll come a day when the fittest will survive. I thought I'd just chuck that in, its a thought we could all think about... whether youre running from someone, or helping another or saving a loved one..
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RHP User
17 years ago
I feel it's better to quote the experts in this case...Sorry if it's a bit boring. I also wanted to say how inspired I've been by Australias' response, in these tough economic times, to help others we don't even know. This to me is the truest test of giving. And thanks Wild. "In the struggle for survival, the fittest win out at the expense of their rivals because they succeed in adapting themselves best to their environment." — Charles Robert Darwin "What Darwin meant was "better adapted for immediate, local environment", tracking changing environments by differential preservation of organisms better adapted to live in them." - From Wikipedia "Any individual organism which succeeds in reproducing itself is "fit" and will contribute to survival of its species, not just the "fittest" ones, though some of the population will be better adapted to the circumstances than others." - From Wikipedia "Nature is not cruel, only pitilessly indifferent. This is one of the hardest lessons for humans to learn. We cannot admit that things might be neither good nor evil, neither cruel nor kind, but simply callous—indifferent to all suffering, lacking all purpose." — Richard Dawkins River Out of Eden: A Darwinian View of Life (1995), 112 "Nature knows no political boundaries. She puts living creatures on this globe and watches the free play of forces. She then confers the master's right on her favourite child, the strongest in courage and industry ... The stronger must dominate and not blend with the weaker, thus sacrificing his own greatness. Only the born weakling can view this as cruel." — Adolf Hitler Mein Kampf (1925-26), American Edition (1943), 134-5. In William Lawrence Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (1990), 86. (I personally don't agree with this particular perspective). "Nature's stern discipline enjoins mutual help at least as often as warfare. The fittest may also be the gentlest." — Theodosius Dobzhansky Mankind Evolving (1962), 134. "The expression often used by Mr. Herbert Spencer of the Survival of the Fittest is more accurate, and is sometimes equally convenient." — Charles Robert Darwin Origin of Species, Ch. 3. "The fittest survive. What is meant by the fittest? Not the strongest; not the cleverest— Weakness and stupidity everywhere survive. There is no way of determining fitness except in that a thing does survive. 'Fitness,' then, is only another name for 'survival.' Darwinism: That survivors survive." — Charles (Hoy) Fort The Book of the Damned (1932). In The Complete Books of Charles Fort (1975), 24.
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RHP User
17 years ago
It's nice that everybody feels so supportive of the bushfire victims. But I didn't think this was the right forum to wax lyrical about who's at fault, start a collection, and show that good 'ol Aussie spirit. It's about shagging ain't it?
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RHP User
17 years ago
well i like to know a little about the people i'm thinking of shagging. and the lyrical waxing sure fills in some of the blanks that the pre-generated profiles and booby shots leave out. i like the idea of some mental tango with my horizontal lambada. LRE(making english hard work)
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RHP User
17 years ago
People want to shag and think and start a fund and be a part of a caring community. I don't see a problem with that. DOes anyone else?
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RHP User
17 years ago
exactly wild! More to life than sex ;-) MrsP
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RHP User
17 years ago
yawn. why not go to your local RSL instead?
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RHP User
17 years ago
What sort of RSL club do you go to?!? :-Peachypear
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