Victorian Bushfire Appeal
February 10, 2009 | Filed under Australia, Travel
I’m back from Adelaide! It was a lovely four days – two of which were spent driving through the South Australian countryside visiting dozens of different wineries and buying up limited release wines that aren’t readily available outside of the winery itself. I’m beginning to develop an appreciation of wine separate from the mindless “how fast can I get sloshed on this” mentality, with my favourites tending towards late harvested rieslings, and moscatos. Sweeter dessert wines, verging upon fortified. I’ll write up an entry in a few days about the trip, but at the moment, there’s a more important issue at hand:
The trip was marred by the news of the worst bushfires in Australian history in my home state of Victoria, which begun on Saturday. While thankfully, everyone I know is safe and well, others haven’t been as lucky. At last count, there’s been over 180+ fatalities (with an estimated 200+ as more fire victims are found), with 750+ homes lost and families displaced, and entire country towns wiped off the map. Fires are still raging throughout the state, and the strong winds expected over the next couple of days could make the situation a lot worse.
I urge all Australians to contact either the Australian Red Cross, or the Salvation Army, and to donate whatever they can. Whether it be money, food, clothes, other necessary goods, or even blood (burn victims will need blood transfusions!), every little bit helps towards the relief effort. Non-Australian well wishers can also contribute to the cause in a very tangible way – simply jump onto the Red Cross website and make an online donation.
As for my own personal contribution, I’ve booked another blood donation appointment (I was about due for another donation anyway), and have already registered at a local clothes and toiletries drive. My family will be clearing out bags of clothes to donate to families who have lost everything, and I’ve also packaged up boxes of stockpiled toiletries (I tend to buy in bulk) to donate as well. Every little bit counts!
8 Responses to Victorian Bushfire Appeal
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I don’t know if there’s anything I can do from America, but if there’s some way to donate some cash online, I think I could pull it off.
Stephanie on February 11, 2009 #
I’ll have to get my mom to donate money (she’s the one with the credit card. Of course, I can pay.)
You wrote “Non-Australian victims can also contribute”. I assume you mean Non-Australian residents/people. Yes, I’m uselessly picky.
Julie on February 11, 2009 #
I’m so sorry about those fires.The pictures we’re seeing are terrible. It must be the most horrible thing to lose a loved one that way.
I REALLY hope for rain, dammit.
Regine on February 11, 2009 #
The fires were so bad. It was like a horror movie or something. A pet therapist my Mum works with lost EVERYTHING, so they’re pooling their cash to help her get back on her feet.
Melinda on February 11, 2009 #
I bought the sitepoint books. They’re giving proceeds to help (their HQ is in melbourne).
Rachaely on February 11, 2009 #
I thought of you when I heard about the bushfires. It’s just awful that so many people have been killed or made homeless. :(
As for your translation, it was very accurate. I’ve just recently started blogging in my native tongue, and wrote a post comparing blogging in Norwegian to blogging in English. And then I ended the post with links to my favourite English and Norwegian blogs. What I said was:
“Jingwen – written by a Chinese-Australian girl a year older than me. She talks about everything from politics to shopping to money-managing tips, all in an easy-read and fun writing style.”
Just in case you wondered. ;)
Mari on February 12, 2009 #
We’re all trying to do our bit to help the bush fire victims Amanda.
I’ve just this minute released a blog detailing how Desert Wave Enterprises, Central Australia, will donate 60% of ebook proceeds received between now and 28 Feb 09 to the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal Fund.
Additionally, all sales will be accompanied by a free copy of “The Breast Cancer Ebook”, valuable for men and women (men have breasts too!).
Robin
Robinoz on February 12, 2009 #
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