Today I should be doing a lovely show & tell but find myself too sad to cheerfully join you all in your lovely show and tell's but please take a moment to go to Kelli's to see all those who have some special pieces to share.
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We today will give thanks and Remember with a heavy heart the fires and the days that followed the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983.
Today is the anniversy of the worst bushfires ever to happen in Australia's history.
72 People lost their lives.
15 of those were very brave fires fighters.
Thousands of native animals were killed along with thousands of farm animals as well.
over 2000 homes were destroyed.
AND.....it almost hursts to write this but we lost my husbands home in Belgrave heights too, all that hard work gone in a moment not even a brick left. I cannot show you the photos it would break our hearts to get them out they were packed away and have been now all these years, shown to nobody.
54 fires were burning at the same time around Melbourne. and entire towns were completely destroyed by huge fire balls that roared through the towns and property unstopable by either man or nature.
The fires were so bad covering both South Australia and Victoria that the devastation could be clearly seen via satellite and infact my grandmother in Scotland phoned my mother as she had seen Australia "burning" on her news.
The ferocity of the wind change - caught many people unawares and many lost their lives out in paddocks trying to save stock or leaving their homes far too late.
whole towns destroyed.
the fires were so strong that trees just burst into flames in seconds.
Our brave fire fighters are remembered today they are Hero's and saved many lives. 
Country Fire Authority men are women are brave people who save homes and lives every week.
I could tell you many stories about the horrors of those few days but it would not bring back lives and would not truly tell you about the horror's the 43deg heat brought to my country, my state and our lives over those days.
So Remembering..................today 25 years ago. (gosh! were did those years go!)
Love to all
Lee-ann
15 comments:
Oh Lee-Ann, it's no wonder you don't like remembering what happened 25 years ago...such a tragedy that fire was. My heart goes out to all those affected...fire is one of the most unforgiving nightmares there is!! Sending you bigggg hugs! xox
Thats is such a sad story Lee-Ann... Though I think that things happen for a reason. If things were different back then.. then things would be different today. In the grand scheme of things.. there must be good out of all bad. Try to think of something positive... it could have been much worse. xox
Hey Lee-ann, Craig remembers too as his father was out fighting the fires and they were waiting to find out which way to go and if to go. The fires went through Macedon as you know and through the pine forest. By some lucky miracle, his home town (and now mine) was spared.
Lindy
Very sad. The devastation has to be crippling to the spirit of those affected. ((HUGS))
I understand now your comment to me. We have seen terrible fires here in western US as well. It is a horrible thing. We had the terrible flood in our mountain canyon in 1976 that destroyed so much and took 138 lives, some never found. So I can totally relate to how you feel today.
Several from blogland are sending checks to give to Sema's parents for food. What a blessing this blogging world has become!
Thank you so much for coming all the way over here from Australia to bless me - and yes, the twins are a breath of fresh life to all of us!
Oh Lee Ann - what a devastating tragedy. Those are the events that definitely leave a mark on our lives and hearts. It is hard to imagine such a thing.
I pray the Lord will bless ou in a special way today and give you the precious blessing of his presence and peace.
That is just awful!! I can only think what fire would be like...horrible. You would just loose everything!! I can understand how you must feel about that still today.
Great that you posted it. Sometimes I think it helps to write about things even when they are so unpleasant like this was for you and your family.
sandy
Dear Lee-Ann, Fire is so horrifying. I don't think anyone who has ever been touched by fire can ever forget the devastation. I remember hearing about these fires. Southern California is getting just as bad. Year after year there are horrible fires in densely populated areas.
This is so sad, Lee-Ann. What an awful tragedy and I'm very sorry you lost your home. Big (((hugs))) for you today, dear friend.
Love,
Kelli
I know this was painful to remember and share but thank you for doing so. I had no idea of this and now I know.
Susan
Dear Lee Ann,
I can only imagine how much this fire impacted you, your family and your country.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and those who lost so much in this terrible tragedy.
xoxo
Hi Lee-ann, Oh I remember those fires, I dont think anyone will ever forget the loss of lives and the devastion of lost properties, wild life, farm animals, caused by those fires. a terrible tragedy...Jenxoxox
I too remember that day, LeeAnn. We were in our back yard pool with neighbours, and ash and soot started falling into the water. At first we thought the fires had reached Eltham and everyone raced off to get ready to evacuate, but of course we soon found out that wasn't necessary; how lucky were we. I had a couple of phone calls from overseas friends too, saying they had seen on their news "Melbourne was surrounded by fire". Nightmare stuff indeed.
How tragic. I understand that you don't want to relive that in your mind and that sadness still comes on this date.
So sorry that you have to have such a terrible memory...
Mari-Nanci
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