(no subject)

We've had word of my parents' friends from St Andrew's.

Elizabeth survived. Her husband Graham did not.

The house they built together (they even made the bricks) is gone, too.

Fuck.


To Elizabeth and your family, I am so, so sorry. I didn't know your husband well, but I feel for you.


Also, for those people wishing to donate material possessions in the absence of fiscal capabilities, the RSPCA has put out a call asking for anything that can help shelter animals. The list includes:

- old towels
- old sheets or blankets
- ice cream containers for drinking water
- animal leads
- bags or tins of dog and cat food

If you're around Monash, there's a collection centre there (email me for details). Otherwise, you can deliver or donate direct to:
*your local RSPCA shelter
*the Animal Accident and Rescue place in Hargrave Street Essendon Fields, 9379 0700 (Open all hours: the vet there is taking donations straight up to the fire area.)
*Werribee Uni Melbourne Vet Hospital Equine Dept, Princes Hwy, Clinic (open until 7.30 pm - their donations are being taken to areas of need on Friday).

I haven't had word on material donations to human-centred charities; I believe they are only taking money at the moment, due to limited sorting and distribution resources.

"Much to weep for"

"VICTORIA, I weep for you. I weep for your forests, once a loved refuge, now places of death and despair, I weep for your rivers, once running freely, now sluggish and stagnant, I weep for your lakes, now just a remnant few, I weep for your gardens, once lush, now forlorn, I weep for your climate, once moderate, now extreme.

I weep for your politicians, who promise so much, but do so little, I weep for your people, who live like there is no tomorrow, I weep for your children, who will inherit a ravaged land.

I weep for your dead - they have paid the price. I weep for what once was, and is now no more."

- Terry O'Neill, Camberwell (The Age, 10/02/2009)


I have no words of my own, so I borrowed somebody else's.