auzoom

Just wanted to pass on my condolences and best wishes to everyone affected both directly and indirectly.

I spent most of the night watching one of the fires out my window and on the phone with my mother keeping an update on one near where she lives. We look to be ok now

Also been talking to some friends who are CFA volunteers. They are absolutely devastated saying there is just no describing it.

If you have kids, you might want to think about keeping them away from the news stories for the time being. It tends to just terrify them whether you are in the path of the fires or in sth qld. Once the immediate threat is over, sit down and talk to them about it.

Lastly, if you can, thing about making a donation http://www.nab.com.au/wps/wcm/connec...re+relief+fund

Cheers

Andrew

ASH8

Andrew,

I have just logged on and I am glad to see you have this thread up..

As a very proud Aussie My heart is very heavy after just watching the Utter Devastation to country towns both large and small throughout Victoria...

At the moment they are saying 75 lost soles and 730 homes burnt to the ground, just incredible what fire can do..and many were deliberately lit.

I also join you Andrew in sending my condolences to ALL Victorians and especially to those poor people who are no longer with us, to their families and loved ones, I am truly sorry for you.

Words are inadequate at this time.

I know South Australian SES and Firefighters are one their way to help along with our Erickson Crane water bomber.

All Australian's feel your grief and I pledge to offer what financial assistance I can offer, I trust all club member's will also dig deep an contribute to the Bushfire Appeal.

Secure Donations can also be forwarded right now through the Australian Red cross..
http://www.redcross.org.au/default.asp

auzoom

Thanks Ash, much appreciated. The official toll at the moment is 76 soles but this is expected to be above 100 by the time its all over. I have heard rumours about a number of people found in a small town where my wife and I play Tennis occasionally.

Apart from the closeness to me physically, some of the hardest hit communities of Yea, Whittlesea, Kinglake and Marysville are places that we rx-8 owners frequent, in fact our last cruise was to Yea via Kinglake. It was beautifull country and the people are fantastic.

mikeyr

Guy's

I spent Wednesday - Friday at a small place last week about 10km from Kilmore and we were astounded at how dry it was.

Thoughts with those people touched and hope all the crew comes through unscathed.

Mike

mdr

Been watching the news and am very saddened by the loss suffered.
My family will be pledging to help out with what ever money we can.
Hope all our RX8 members in that area stay safe.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in that area.

erx8s

A total devastating unnecessary loss of life , makes you wonder why people in the bush dont invest in .............underground bunkers or cellars in the worst fire effected areas .

Its a sad sad Day .

Michael

DrGonzo

It's terrible.

I know a few people who's family and friends were affected, one person lost someone they know, others have had properties destroyed. I am really lost for words. I have never seen anything like this happen on my doorstep and hopefully never will again.

It's sad to think that 3 weeks ago I actually drove through Kinglake, Marysville, the Spurs etc... we had lunch at the cafe in Marysville and now the entire town is gone. It's hard to imagine, it was such a beautiful part of the country.

Mazurfer

Yeah, you guys be careful over there. News reports here in the States say the death toll is up to at least 84.

"Police said charred bodies had been found in cars in at least two places - suggesting people were engulfed in flames as they tried to flee."

erx8s

Sadly the toll has been ammended to 108 one cannot help but think that the Authorities werent prepared at all with evacuation procedures for this one .

Yes the fire fighters have done a great job , however the use of the Australian armed forces..........Chinook Helicopters ,transport planes should have been put in place to assist in evacuation procedures .

Heads should roll , at Goverment level on this one

Shame bloody shame

Cheers
Michael

thisllub

The only people to blame are the arsonists.
Everyone else does all that they can.

In a situation like this it is the media that could be most help.
Constant reports from helicopters could give people better warning about exit routes and when to leave.
Everyone should have a fire plan.

Ultimately a great tragedy and a day of national grief.

DrGonzo

I don't know about that. People who live in areas under threat are usually given the option to evacuate or stay behind and help to fight the fire and protect their homes. I guess in this case the gale force winds combined with 47 degree weather and drought caused the flames to move too quickly for anyone to react. Who could possibly have imagined that entire towns such as Marysville would be completely destroyed? Don't get me wrong, I am usually the first person to criticize the Brumby government, but unfortunately I don't think anyone was to blame here except as someone else said earlier, the arsonists.

If anyone wants to help you can donate to the Red Cross State Government Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (http://www.redcross.org.au, phone 1800 811 700 or any NAB, ANZ, Westpac or Commonwealth Bank branch)

Donate to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund (BSB 082-001, Account number 860-046-797)

Myer Bushfire Appeal - all proceeds to the Salvation Army (Donate at any Victorian Myer store)

Donate blood at the Red Cross (Ring 131 495)

Revolver

I didn't catch any news at all from Fri arvo till last night, so was shocked when I first heard. What a horrible disaster and tragic loss of life!

Finger pointing and trying any arsonists caught can wait (and I hope they hang the bastards high). For now it's time to show support to those affected and dig deep with some cash.

Thanks for posting the donation links boys and hang in there Mexicans...to paraphrase from 9/11, we're ALL Victorians today! We're with you and feel your pain.

auzoom

DrGonzo, was actually thinking of you last night and this morning. A few spot fires sparking up around Christmas Hills and Panton Hill. Vaguely recall you saying you were around there.

Its absolutely sureal around home at the moment. Can still see small smoke plumes, Water Cranes flying over head and air raid sirens going off periodically. Most people who know me know that I cant help but get involved in things and I feel decidedly useless at the moment.

On the point of arsonists, I know there is a lot of talk about arsonists but keep in mind that the heat was insane on Saturday. It was 47 and the wind was hotter and over 100km/h at times. It hasnt rained in something like 2-3 months in some of these areas so it wouldnt suprise me if a simple bottle or piece of metal left in some scrub caused some of these fires.

Please remember that a lot of the people who have died didnt even realise that the they were in danger until it was to late. Marysville has one road in/out. By the time most realised there was Danger they were blocked in by fallen trees, fire, etc. Hence the bodies in cars.

Not sure what people have seen but this is the area immediately around me. And this is only 1/3rd of the fires.

I will post up some of the pics I have taken later.

Cheers

Andrew

DrGonzo

Andrew, no - I am in Burnside Heights, western suburbs of Melbourne. Thanks for your concern though

Where abouts are you? Is there a danger?

I just heard on the news that the Marysville fire was deliberately lit. Certainly it was fanned by the terrible conditions, but hot weather and wind don't start fires. Toll is up to 130 now

ASH8

Got a few Pics off the News Site...I just thought I would post them here, some are very poignant.

The amount of cars destroyed is amazing, even on the roads peoples tyres were melting while driving and the alloy wheels melting!

ASH8

The cars..

auzoom

I am in Diamond Creek. On the map I posted earlier you will see a green dot S/W of Hurstbridge. Thats me.

The attachments in this thread are looking towards St Andrews/Panton Hill way. They dont really do it justice as I only had my 70mm lens on. But you hopefully get the idea.

I am curious what makes you say that "hot weather and wind don't start fires"? Grass fires often start spontaneously.

Cheers

Andrew

enforcer

This is very sad news. I hope that all Victorian and NSW members and family and friends have managed to stay out of harms way with the fires. Everyone else in non-affected parts of the country are with you in our thoughts and best wishes.

There will be many who will not get over it and I'll definately be putting my hand in my pocket to do my bit and help.....and god help the ******** who lit them if they ever get caught.

timbo

Donation done, but it feels hollow


As Dave says, we're all Victorians today...except for those sick @rseholes who get off by lighting fires. If this has given them any thrill, then they are truly, really sick

Sorry Andrew, grass fires don't start spontaneously without an ignition point, such as lightning. So, if there was no lightning strikes...then the cause becomes obvious

ASH8

Is Taka & Family Ok?

auzoom

He lives a reasonable distance from the fires. Just think he is busy with work.

Cheers

Andrew

zoom44

Good wishes from my family to you and yours- hope you get through this all right.

takahashi

Correct. Very busy here but thanks for your concern Ash.

It is a very sad day indeed.

We as a group of pathologist here in Melbourne, have offered our help when need at the Forensic Institute.

I also feel for people in Churhill where I used to know when I worked at Traralgon years ago.

ILIV48

Absolute tragedy!

I have lost 3 good friends to the King Lake fires and 2 families my family is close to are still missing including their young children. A very sad day. I am not a religious person but have found myself saying a few prayers over the last couple days!

Also looks like Danielle might have lost some of her work mates.

I have been doing what I can by delivering hot food donated by local food outlets in my area up to the rest/rally areas for CFA personal and also to the gathering points for all those that lost everything. Once among them you cannot help but be reduced to tears. To have someone that has just lost everything and that has burns to parts of their body tearfully thank you for bringing them a simple hot meal is a truly humbling experience indeed!

Danielle and myself are offering the spare bedrooms of our home to a displaced family from the fires. I cannot save my friends that lost their lives (and this really kills me) but maybe I can help their neighbors put their life back together. The amount left with nothing is staggering. Money, clothes, toys are starting to come their way now but after seeing and talking with a few a roof over their heads is desperately needed.

I urge any members on this side of town who have some space they can spare for a while to contact one of the hotlines & offer a roof for one of these families to sleep under. You can make a true difference to someone's life and give them that hand they surely need to start putting the pieces back together!

auzoom

Sorry mate, I wasn't as clear as I could have been. When I say "spontaneous" I meant not lit by a person. It goes back to my previous comment "It hasnt rained in something like 2-3 months in some of these areas so it wouldnt suprise me if a simple bottle or piece of metal left in some scrub caused some of these fires."

Cheers

Andrew