Where does one start to talk of February in Australia? The answer of course is simply Victoria and the horrific Bushfires. Lives taken, towns destroyed, communities changed forever. The fires are still burning as I write. Still threatening homes and people. Not to mention the livestock and native animals lost in the devastation.

However in times like those community spirit comes to the fore. People simply help, give both materially and of themselves. So far, over $100 million has been raised for the survivors. I do not call them victims as they are not. From all walks, there have been fundraising activities. From kids putting on concerts or selling their toys to the telethons run by the commercial television stations. GMH Holden donated 300 cars for survivors use for up to a year. A West Australian mining company has donated transportable homes for the homeless. They are already arriving in the affected areas. It has been not astonishing but simply heart warming to see and be part of the response. Volunteer firefighters as well as the fire brigade firemen from all over Australia have gone to Victoria's aid they have come also from the US and Canada.

I should explain that the majority of firefighters in the bush and country area's of Australia are volunteers. In South Australia it is the Country Fire Service. In Victoria the Country Fire Authority, although volunteer they are professional firefighters in all but remuneration. Extensive training and practical experiences fighting real fires sees to that. Men and women only to be admired. Sadly at least two lost their lives. One a volunteer from the ACT brigade, who had fought the disastrous Canberra fires of a few years ago was lost. A South Australian volunteer fights for his life after being badly injured. The price is paid for their "mates' in trouble.

In the midst of tragedy there is always beaurocratic stuff ups. Survivors, left with only what they stood in, were asked to prove their identity by bank details, drivers licenses etc. before they were allowed access to government assistance. This it must be said, was changed very qucikly, in fact quicker than that, when the Prime Minister heard. Time will replace the material effects lost. It will soften the pain, which at this stage is immeasurable. It will never help people to forget what is gone. We in South Australia had 10 days of 40C + temperatures. We had very similar conditions to Victoria but by the grace of God we were spared.

In a tribute/commemoration to the victims and survivors Parliament suspended Question time to allow all parties to pay tribute and offer condolences. Politics were forgotten, unity of sadness was the order of the day. The fires of course were aided by the drought and the proliferation and dryness of vegetation. In Queensland the state was ravaged by floods, due to torrential rains. In some cases, a years normal supply in a couple of days!!!. At least one small town has been cut off for weeks. There has been so much rain that Lake Eyre in Southern Australia, 100's of kilometers away from the floods is filling for the first time in years. The desert will bloom again. Ironically, none of the floodwaters will reach the Murray/Darling basin in any useful quantities. At least as far as Southern Australia is concerned.

Here in Southern Australia the major news was the Governments change of mind. A new hospital to replace the Royal Adelaide Hospital (the major medical centre for Southern Australia) is to be built in a disused rail yard in the west end of the city. Cost about $1.8 Billion. It was to be called the Marjorie Jackson Hospital. This, a tribute to our immediate past Governor, who was also a multiple Gold Medal winner at the Olympics in the fifties. A well deserved honour most would say. Well the furore that has erupted has gone on for months. The Royal Adelaide Hospital you see is almost an Icon here. All sorts of opposition to moving the Royal has been raised. It would appear that it may be more expensive to redvelope it. However, that is one suggestion. Senior Medical proffesionals oppose the move as does a majority of South Australians. Unfortunately "Marj" has been drawn into the debate. She has asked that her name be withdrawn. She will not even now consider having a wing named in her honour. The hospital will be build as planned I think. It will now be a new Royal Adelaide Hospital. It is a great shame that Marjorie was drawn into a political bunfight. The theory being that the Premier tried to use her name to get an unpopular decision accepted. Politics again.

We have had quite a busy social calendar this month. We attended the engagement of the son of good friends. A really nice night. I caught up with Jez Lowe an English folksinger whom I admire. Kim Lauren, Scott and I went to see Danny Bhoy, a Scottish comedian. If he comes your way, one instruction, go and see him. He is very very funny. This last weekend was very busy. My cousin Deb celebrated a very important birthday. No, She is a lady, so no telling which! Her brother and his wife came from Sydney to help celebrate the occassion. With another couple we headed off to the Barossa valley for a "Day on the Green". We had accomodation in Kapunda, a small town 80K's north of Adelaide for the weekend. On Saturday we headed off on the special bus to Annie"s Lane winery where the "Day" was being held. It was a rock music event "starring" Jimmy Barnes, The Angels and Mark Seymour. It was wonderful. Very warm, plenty of food and essential supplies!!!!!!

Jimmy Barnes was born in Glasgow, came to Adelaide as a very young child and became one of Australia's biggest rock stars! The Angels were one of the biggest groups in their day and Mark was lead singer of 'Hunter's and Collector's' another massive Australian group. Danced, sung out tired, and just a bit "emotional" we got home to our beds about 0130.

By this time it was March so what follows waits until the next episode.

Until then. Take Care

Eric