proud to be an Aussie

**forestdale** · 01-10-2005, 12:23 AM

It makes me proud today to see the amount of help the western world has given, and continues to give, to our Asian neighbours after the tsunamis.

These countries are close neighbours of Australia and Indonesia, the largest muslim country in the world, is one of our closest neighbours. As soon as the disaster happened, our army was mobilised to help. They established field hospitals, water filtration plants and sent counsellors and chaplins, all within 24 hours. But what happened next was beyond my wildest imagination. The Australian people went berserk trying to help. Twenty-five doctors went over from my local area alone. Lots of nurses went over too. Australian tourists stayed on to help if they hadn't been injured or lost family or friends. Unfortunately 12 Australians are dead and many more are still missing. Our death toll may reach 100.

Some of you who read my posts will know that I believe that most things eventually balance out. It's weird saying that there could be a good side to this catastrophe, but there is. I see it as restoring the balance between the western world and the third world. They used to believe we didn't care about them, now they know that many of us do.

There are 21 million of us Australians. So far we've given 1 billion dollars in government aid and private citizens have raised over 20 million. It will all go to rebuilding the shattered lives of so many people. Many of them are the poorest of the poor.

I was very happy to see the USS Lincoln arrived there last week and so far US naval personnel have been busy treating broken bones, amputating crushed limbs and, surprise surprise, delivering babies! We have worked along side the americans in so many places in the world, it's good to see us there together again.

Soldiers, police, doctors, nurses and private citizens from many other countries are there too. It makes me feel great knowing we all come together for the common good when so many people need us.

I'm curently watching a cricket match being played in Sydney - Asia versus the Rest of the World. The teams are made up of the best cricketers in the world. There is a TV audience of over 1 billion viewers. Every cent from this match will go to the relief appeal in Asia.

I see this as proof that although many things still divide us - wars, religion, race etc, that we still connect with our neighbours when we are needed.

**Michele Annette** · 01-10-2005, 09:46 AM

Some of you who read my posts will know that I believe that most things eventually balance out. It's weird saying that there could be a good side to this catastrophe, but there is. I see it as restoring the balance between the western world and the third world. They used to believe we didn't care about them, now they know that many of us do.

Rhonda, I'm glad you feel proud! I was talking with my Mom and I was just having such a hard time coming to terms with all the loss of life and devistation from the tsunamis. Mom then said to me, "how do we learn compassion for others when things like this do not happen?" It's a very interesting thought and not that we want anything like this to happen again!

**Darlene** · 01-10-2005, 10:26 AM

**guest2** · 01-10-2005, 11:09 AM

I agree that this disaster has the potential of making us all rethink the way we view and deal with each other. People are hurting and it does nto matter what nationality, religion, etc. we all are...people are people and we need to do everything possible to help each other.

**SewCrafty** · 01-10-2005, 12:54 PM

Originally posted by hmsclmom
I agree that this disaster has the potential of making us all rethink the way we view and deal with each other. People are hurting and it does nto matter what nationality, religion, etc. we all are...people are people and we need to do everything possible to help each other.

Well said everyone.

**forestdale** · 01-10-2005, 03:20 PM

Michele, your mom is a wise woman.

The cricket match raised about $10 million last night and I was wrong about the $20million. Australian private citizens have so far donated over $120million. and it keeps coming.