Rossianns' Retreat: February 2009

"I AM AUSTRALIAN"

Victorian Bushfire tragedy memorial slideshow

Second search uncovers more remains

The so-called Black Saturday bushfires of February 7 have so far claimed 209 lives, most of them in a sweep of towns and villages northeast of Melbourne.

Victoria fires photograph of Sam the Koala raises $300,000 for Country Fire Authority

More than 15,000 copies of photo sold

SAM the koala has not only brought a smile to people's faces after the Victoria fires, but she has raised $300,000 for firefighters. News Limited has sold more than 15,000 copies of the famous photograph of CFA volunteer David Tree giving Sam a drink.

Man it's hot

Top cop ... mystery man saved 200 lives from Marysville Oval

Public donations to Victoria bushfire disaster tops $30 million

True Blue

Hey True Blue, don't say you've gone
Say you've knocked off for a smoko
And you'll be back la-ater on
Hey True Blue, Hey True Blue
Give it to me straight, face to face
Are you really disappearing
Just another dy-ying race
Hey True Blue
True Blue, is it me and you
Is it Mum and Dad, is it a co-ockatoo
Is it standin' by your mate when he's in a fight
Or just Vegemi-ite
True-ue-ue Blue, I'm a-asking you
Hey True Blue, can you bear the load
Will you tie it up with wire
Just to keep the show on the road
Hey True Blue
Hey True Blue, now be Fair Dinkum
Is your heart still there
If they sell us out like sponge cake
Do you rea-eally care
Hey True Blue
True Blue, is it me and you
Is it Mum and Dad, is it a co-ockatoo
Is it standin' by your mate when she's in a fight
Or just Vegemi-ite
True-ue-ue Blue, I'm a-asking you...
True Blue, is it me and you
Is it Mum and Dad, is it a co-ockatoo
Is it standin' by your mate when he's in a fi-ightOr just Vegemi-ite
True-ue-ue Blue, True-ue-ue Blue
Lyrics John Williamson lyrics - True Blue lyrics

PUBLIC donations for bushfire victims have topped $30 million in just two days in an unprecedented outpouring of generosity and community spirit.
The death toll from Victoria's fires has risen to 173, with 26 fires still burning across the state. Ordinary Australians have responded by opening their hearts and wallets to help people faced with rebuilding their homes and lives. A total of $28 million has been donated to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund, which doesn't include corporate and government donations. The Salvation Army's appeal had raised $5.5 million by late today.Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced an extra $5 million on top of the $10 million already pledged by the Federal Government. Big and small businesses and sporting organisations have also cast off global financial woes to help. The NSW Government and the City of Melbourne each announced $1 million donations today, matching earlier million-dollar pledges by the South Australian, Queensland and West Australian governments. LinkHere

UPDATE::::

173 dead in worst bushfire disaster

THE death toll from the Victoria fires rose dramatically as bodies were found clustered together on the spot where their attempts to flee or fight were finally overwhelmed.

Arsonist: Police have a suspect Donations: $1m an hour raised Survivors: Reunited online No way out: Valley of Death Bodies: 30 identified a day Fires: Among world's most deadly

Weather extremes: NSW melts, Victoria burns, Queensland sinks

New South Wales is forecast to become the hottest place on the planet on Sunday, with the current heatwave sending temperatures soaring to 47C. Worst hit will be residents in the western NSW towns of Ivanhoe, Tibooburra and Broken Hill.
Western NSW to hit 47C on SundayVictoria on extreme bushfire alertLarge parts of Queensland still drought-hit PARTS of Australia will be hotter than the African plains or Middle Eastern deserts this weekend, while other parts battle raging bushfires and still others cope with widespread flooding.
LinkHere

130 people dead, 750 homes destroyed in worst bushfires in Australia's history

130 dead in worst bushfire disaster

Fears death toll could still rise

AUTHORITIES warned the death toll from Australia's worst bushfires "could hit 230", in what Kevin Rudd said could be "mass murder".

A Nations Blackest Day

108 dead in worst bushfire disaster
THE death toll from Australia's worst ever bushfires continues to grow, with 108 dead, 750 homes lost and whole towns wiped out.

Ingham fears 'massive flood disaster' - 6 Feb 2009
(ABC Local Radio: Peter Riley) The north Queensland town of Ingham is preparing for its second flood peak this week. Ingham is cut off in every direction as ...