Been there - wow!
Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 22, 2006 at 22:41
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Member - Crazy Dog (QLD)
Ok people,
I have heard enough about how it was - I was there today in my role for Health and I can tell you I have never ever seen anything like that in my life.
All those that say I won't help because tha tax man already has got my bit is most un Aussie. I support people having the "right to do as they wish" --- but come on!
The looks in people faces, the nurses trying to keep the hospitals running and the strain of being at the coal face since Sunday night and STILL THERE is something that is to be admired.
The food lines, the damage the heard break and most of all - all those that are helping to assist in getting this great part of our state-country back together tug at the very core of what it means to be an Aussie.
Do as the majority are doing and do your bit for these people including the children who must have been petrified.
If you cannot say something positve please do not insult those of us who care about our fellow Australians by even daring to respond to this post in a negative way because by God you will cop the ire of most.
Reply By: Member - Bware (Tweed Valley) - Wednesday, Mar 22, 2006 at 22:48
Wednesday, Mar 22, 2006 at 22:48
Crazy, Ive got bad tv reception, so although I've heard the news etc I haven't seen any 1800 numbers or whatever for donations. If you or anyone else could post that sort of info here I reckon there could be a good response.
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Follow Up By: Member - Crazy Dog (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 22, 2006 at 23:01
Wednesday, Mar 22, 2006 at 23:01
Cyclone appeal (donations): 1800 150 411
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Reply By: Gajm (VIC) - Wednesday, Mar 22, 2006 at 23:19
Wednesday, Mar 22, 2006 at 23:19
Thanks Crazy, I hadn't seen the number either, but I will defintely be donating. I would like to think pulling together is still something Aussies do better than anyone else when the crap hits the fan. Wish everyone up there the very best!
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Follow Up By: Member - Crazy Dog (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 22, 2006 at 23:25
Wednesday, Mar 22, 2006 at 23:25
Thanks for your wishes.
I should state that I print out the comments evey night and take to work for others to see and the reponse has been great save a couple of whacko's who get on this site.
But then again we probably wouldn't be Aussie if we didn't stick up for our beliefs of freedom of speech etc....
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Reply By: Sarg - Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 00:08
Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 00:08
Bet all the Asian countries will pitch in and help too.
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 00:42
Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 00:42
Does it really matter? They probably won't, so what. It's what we do that counts.
Regards
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Follow Up By: Member - Doug T (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 07:40
Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 07:40
Now i really like your post ...so damn true mate, I'm getting real peeved off about our government / S giving millions to the other types when all our own get is peanuts , and when something happens here we nothing in return ,OK i know they got nothing to give ,thats not our fault ,
THE COMMONWEALTH BANK for all donations as
well
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Follow Up By: Traveller - Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 08:51
Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 08:51
"Peanuts"???! Not according to what I've heard on the news! Even the Federal Governments greatest critics at everyone's ABC were surprised at their generosity.
An article in yesterday's
Brisbane Courier Mail offers some perspective.
Innisfail was destroyed by a cyclone on March 10 1918. 15 people killed. News of the storm and ensuing flooding reached
Brisbane five days later!
Full marks to the State and Federal governments, and our splendid armed forces,who are providing wonderful support.
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Follow Up By: robak (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 11:24
Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 11:24
Have to agree with gramps. It doesn't really matter. If they could I'm sure they would.
Sarg if you are refering to the help we gave asia after the tsunami, then I think you should put it into perpective.
200 000 people died after the tsunami with millions homeless
0 died after the cyclone with thousands homeless
R.
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Follow Up By: Member - Glenn D (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 20:41
Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 20:41
If there was a large enough natural disaster I am sure Indonesia would have their military down here in a second , Just not sure if they would be here to help !!
Glenn
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 00:40
Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 00:40
Glenn,
Agree with your sentiments. I don't particularly trust our northern neighbour either. Must have something to do with recent history :)))
Regards
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Follow Up By: robak (QLD) - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 10:07
Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 10:07
You guys may be right about the indonesian army and government. However you must remember that the people are not the governement. In fact Banda Aceh has wanted to form it's own state for a very long time. Hence the government was reluctant to help and allow foreign aid to the area after the tsunami, . To help Banda Aceh meant helping the seperatist rebels which they were fighting at the time.
So it's very likely that the people affected by the tsunami have the same sentiments as you guys about the indonesian government.
I'm guessing that the people who wouldn't give anything to help foreginers wouldn't give squat or lend a hand to the aussies either.
R.
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Follow Up By: Traveller - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 10:18
Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 10:18
Well said robak, good to read comments from someone who has an understanding of matters beyond their front
gate.
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Follow Up By: Joe King - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 10:32
Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 10:32
"However you must remember that the people are not the governement" you are dead right robak, just a pity the government makes the decisions, not the people.
JK
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 12:15
Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 12:15
Traveller,
As per Glenn D and my comments, the people in countries like Indonesia have virtually nil input to their Government/military actions. Neither of us attributed any malice whatsoever to the Indonesian people per se, only the sectors that wield real power. This is true wherever you travel.
Regards
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Reply By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 01:48
Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 01:48
Mate
I wish you guys the best in the cleanup and recovery. I wish I could be there to help. Our thoughts go out to everyone that got effected by this. I am sure things will get better before we know it, if everyone pull together and do their bit. We are a nation that is know to stick together and I am sure it will be done again
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Reply By: Michael B - Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 10:35
Thursday, Mar 23, 2006 at 10:35
Crazy,
Thanks for keeping up to date with some first hand reports. Not much to say except that our thoughts are with all those people that have had their lives turned upside down so quickly.
Our family endured Cyclone Tracy, lost everything but were lucky to escape with our lives, I empathise with each and everyone of you and wish you all
well.
It is true that you will find many 'rsoles out there because this type of calamity brings out the best and worst in people, but from our own experience, for every 'rsole encountered you will find a dozen or more genuine people that will give you the shirt off their back if needed.
Stay strong, the true Aussie spirit comes to the fore in times such as this.
Best wishes
Michael B (SA)
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Reply By: Richard Kovac - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 01:17
Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 01:17
Crazy
There and old saying
What GOD wants GOD gets
They will cope
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