its all tony abbotts fault, page-82

Lapdog -

Glad we agree on one crucial instance.

e.g. there were NO CFA trucks in Kinglake when the fire hit the place. No fault of the CFA's.

The public were absolutely amazing in their generosity and moral support - and not only with cash donations. It is this support which saved many lives, in terms of absolute despair and the deepest griefs sending so many into the black pit of contemplating suicide. Family, friends, rescuers experienced and endured sights in those ensuing days which no-one could see without hitting emotional rock bottom. Many young people have been mentally and physically affected for life.

The one element which is the hardest to convey to the general public in any descrptive sense was the absolute hugeness and ferocity of these particualr fires that day. Their speed, and the height of the flames, which were said to be 30 metres plus high arching in on homes like giant waves, and the deafening, horrific noise - described as sounding like ten jets landing on one's roof. Anyone's survival from this "monster dragon" was a miracal in itself. That townships received no warning of what was heading their way was indescribable tragedy. No careful preparations could withstand this deathly onslaught.

People still doing it very tough. No, it is far from forgotten. But courage and bravery in adversity and their post fire community spirit is getting them through what has been a ghastly nightmare of mammoth proportions.

Dead family - friends - neighbours. so many funerals, and broken hearts. And empty blocks in whole ravaged streets - never to be built on again perhaps. Marriage break-ups, suicides, mental breakdowns, and financial destitution if nil insurance. Many still live in sheds, caravans, shipping containers.
No, the State Government should not dip into the donated funds for "fancy dan" infrastructures, and this has been done with little or NO cosultation with community in many instances. Political preferences so to the fore in Local Government have dictated direction of funds, though, sadly.
And not a thing victims could do about it.

Many unsung heroes that day, and in the weeks which followed, including the fire fighting and rescue services who put their own lives on the line.

Central control that day was chaotic - and predictive maps ready by 1pm-ish which could have saved lives were never issued out to relevant CFA's. A scandal of major proportions - yet all this suffering so easily forgotten.
Or explained away - in weak "I could have done better" excuses. Or worse, no excuses at all - except anything to cover self-preservation in a job.