5 years ago
BLACK SATURDAY
BILL SHORTEN MP
Today we remember the 173 people who perished in the Black Saturday bushfires and our hearts go out to all those who lost someone they love.
We think of those Victorian towns whose histories will forever be divided into ‘before’ and ‘after’ the trauma of those terrible days in February 2009 and we salute everyone who has fought the long struggle to rebuild their houses and remake their homes.
The horrors of Black Saturday proved that this country we love can be a fickle and dangerous place.
But in the face of the fire, we were reminded again that truly there is no such thing as an ‘ordinary’ Australian, amidst the shock and devastation, we saw the very best of our citizens. The heroism of the CFA, SES, and police, the dedication of council workers, the generosity and optimism of the Lions Clubs, the Rotary Clubs, the Scouts and Girl Guides, the Church groups and the football and netball clubs. All those good-hearted Australians who, in those frenetic, bewildering days of grief and loss turned their energies to putting people back on their feet and making shattered communities whole again.
The courage, the resilience and the community spirit I saw in the wake of Black Saturday will stay with me forever.
Along with all Australians, Chloe and I offer our respects to the memory of those lost and we send our heartfelt condolences to those who still bear the burden of grief.
We think of those Victorian towns whose histories will forever be divided into ‘before’ and ‘after’ the trauma of those terrible days in February 2009 and we salute everyone who has fought the long struggle to rebuild their houses and remake their homes.
The horrors of Black Saturday proved that this country we love can be a fickle and dangerous place.
But in the face of the fire, we were reminded again that truly there is no such thing as an ‘ordinary’ Australian, amidst the shock and devastation, we saw the very best of our citizens. The heroism of the CFA, SES, and police, the dedication of council workers, the generosity and optimism of the Lions Clubs, the Rotary Clubs, the Scouts and Girl Guides, the Church groups and the football and netball clubs. All those good-hearted Australians who, in those frenetic, bewildering days of grief and loss turned their energies to putting people back on their feet and making shattered communities whole again.
The courage, the resilience and the community spirit I saw in the wake of Black Saturday will stay with me forever.
Along with all Australians, Chloe and I offer our respects to the memory of those lost and we send our heartfelt condolences to those who still bear the burden of grief.