I have been terribly saddened and distressed by the awful devastation that took place in Victoria last weekend.
I can't even begin to understand the fear and terror of those who had to experience such a fury of nature.
The first two days, I could not even bring myself to read the stories that were emerging, and now can only do so with tears of empathy.
Particularly emotive are, of course, the stories where children are involved.
Can you imagine it. Fleeing from an inferno in the family car with your little ones frightened beyond belief. Some of these families didn't even make it out of their driveways.
Some got to the road only to be stopped by fallen trees.
Or the radiant heat that kills.
There are stories of survival though, and of courage.
And the coming together of a nation in support.
The Australian Red Cross has raised $60 million already.
So many of the people who fight the fires are volunteers. And then there are the charities that organise the local relief efforts.
The head of the local Red Cross in Yea is a 75 year old woman, who is doing a remarkable job of masterminding the supply of shelter, food, clothing and basic supplies to thousands of people left with nothing.
She said that it is much different to what she would usually be doing.
Sitting at home, crafting.
The average Australian is often confronted with news of bush fires.
But we have never seen something like this before.
Of course, I am lucky, I didn't have to experience that fear or loss, but I feel for my fellow Australians and my thoughts are with them.
If you feel you want to do something, there are ways.
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