Dr Jeannette Kavanagh

Victoria's Worst Ever Bushfires Put Everything In Perspective.



Posted: Sunday, February 08, 2009

by Dr Jeannette Kavanagh
Dr Jeannette Kavanagh and Daughter

It was hard to find a category for this article written with such a heavy heart.

Yes, it's news.  In fact, most of our local radio stations speak of nothing else.  News updates tell us only of an increasing death toll and ever-growing increase in property loss.  Our main government-funded radio the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) has one of its Melbourne stations totally devoted to keeping the community informed about the safety issues surrounding travel to and from scenes of bushfires. 

It's news but of such profound loss that it is difficult to absorb.  Everyone in Victoria knows at least one person who died in the fires and that's because one of our most esteemed television newsreaders for decades, Brian Naylor, was killed with his wife.  He was as well-known to Australians as Larry King or Barbara Walters are to Americans although he didn't have their celebrity.  Apart from the fact that we all mourn their passing, there are so many other families affected directly by the growing toll.  One man yesterday sought help for himself and his little daughter saying that his wife and other child had already died.

And yes, as an undercurrent to this great devastation, we see people from all walks of life donating money they can hardly afford, clothing, furniture and other goods to their neighbours in need.  The Red Cross and religious organisations like the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul Society speak about being overwhelmed by the generosity among the community.  They speak also of the community's willingness to help in whatever way they can.

 



Many of us feel pretty helpless to do very much.  My son's best friend Blair lives with his wife Jenny and young baby Jake in the path of one of the fires closest to Melbourne - in the Healesville and Upper Yarra areas.  For the moment, they are safe.  The fire was contained when it reached two houses away from them.  At that time, they were advised not to leave and as I write the roads out of that area are deemed too dangerous for travel.  Some of the death toll has been ascribed to people fleeing the fires and being killed by falling trees or in head-on collisions or just... I can't actually write the third way they died.

There will be investigations as to how prepared all the government and voluntary fire-fighting and emergency services agencies were to deal with this fire.  From all that we've heard so far, no humans could have been prepared for the combination of record temperatures of 47.5C (117.5F) on Saturday 7 Februray with winds at 116kms per hour.  It's left to all of us to deal with the aftermath.

Many people who live in areas known to be more prone to bushfire risk take the utmost precautions to keep their properties fire-safe.  My sense is that many of those people will choose to leave the area in which they've lived for decades rather than risk another bushfire.



For people who want to read more go to The Age newspaper. www.theage.com.au

Dr Jeannette Kavanagh has a counseling and coaching Practice in Melbourne, Australia where she helps people find their unique way to eliminate panic attacks , and all forms of anxiety particularly public speaking fears. When not working, Jeannette loves reading and swimming but not simultaneously. She also loves talking with family and friends.

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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by Avis Ward
 3 years 99 days ago.
132 fans.
Jeannette, each day I see the reports, it breaks my heart for the losses and devastation in your part of the world. I am so very sorry and pray for all of you.

Sincerely,
Avis
» left by Jeannette from Melbourne, Australia 3 years 99 days ago.
Thank you so much, Avis.  Yes, when I first wrote the article the death toll was in the 30s, now it's officially 181 with the rider that many homes (and cars) have not yet been inspected.  The government expects the toll to rise to at least 200.  I noted that your inspiring new President Mr Obama has sent words of support to his counterpart, our Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - very touching.  Millions of dollars have been donated but it's still hard to fathom how whole families will survive the next week, let alone the next few months.  
» left by Gary W. Halsey Sr.
 3 years 91 days ago.
51 fans.
Jeannette, my prayers are with all of you who have to suffer in the midst of this devastating fire. California has had it's fair share of devastating fires, and I can only imagine how bad they are over there.....The pictures that you attached says it all. Please know that from my family to yours, and all those affected, that our prayers are with you, and hope that you will receive all the support you need from our government, as well as others around the world, (we are all family you know). Thanks for keeping us updated on this, and keep us posted on ongoing progress with defeating this devilish blaze. I hope you don't mind, I put myself as a fan of yours, and will follow your work. Your fan and friend in pen.......Gary.
» left by Jeannette Kavanagh from Melbourne, Australia 3 years 91 days ago.
Gary, I am touched by your kindness, thank you.

I'm venturing up to Healesville next week.  I work part-time there coaching teachers of Indigenous students.  That was one of the places under fire alert for the past fortnight and it's still not completely out of danger: our hottest weather is often in March.  Further up the mountain from Healesville was a beautiful town called Marysville.  It has been completely razed to the ground. And yes, the houses can be rebuilt but the trees and other vegetation were there for hundreds of years.  A professional colleague of mine Dr Ken Rowe, someone I admired greatly lost his life in Marysville.  He and his family lived in the city but had a retreat there and he went up on what we're now calling Black Saturday - never to return.  The death toll now stands at 201 and we all pray that it stays there.

Thank you again for your solidarity. 
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