This terrible tragedy is unfolding and hopefully will end soon so the cleanup can occur. This will be an onerous task due to the enormity of it along with the terrible knowledge of those that perished. It is unbeleivable to see the once house left standing where 14 others have been reduced to smouldering wrecks.

I was chatting to a friend in Thailand on MSN explaing to her of the disaster unfolding and told her the death toll had then reached almost 70 by the next morning it was over 110 and still climbing, tonight it was reported to be possible that we will see an eventual toll of over 200.

This has been Australia's worst domestic tragedy and will leave scars for years to come.

I would like to extend my condolences to the familes and friends of those that have lost people.

I was listening to Nova this afternoon and the comment was made that the show of solidarity was patriotism, I don't think it was patriotism it is not about "love of country" this is about people that really need help. It was something far greater that is a true part of  Australian culture. Its simply this if someone is down and hit badly enough then we will collectively as a nation dig in to help the poor bugger. Australians dug deep for Indonesia and Thailand to assist the rebuilding after the Tsunami and they have shown today that once again we will cometogether to help those that are down.

These people that have been directly impacted will need a lot of help, sadly some will succumb to depression with its worst effects, I ask those around people to be depression aware so that you might stop such troubles.

Good luck residents of Victoria, I wish you well

 See ya round

Peter