Thinking Of You Down Under

Filed under: Australiastic

Our heart goes out to everyone in Victoria, Australia, and all those who have lost their homes and loved ones to the deadly bushfires.

Stay strong!

Posted: Feb 8, 2009 at 7:34 am / Email this »

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129 comments to “Thinking Of You Down Under”

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llamalou says – reply to this

101

So very sorry for all of the Aussies who've been burned out or even lost their lives in this fire. We here in America are facing foreclosure, so can relate to your terrible loss.
lui93 says – reply to this

102

Hi Perez,
i live in Australia and have been hearing about these tragic bushfires all day.
the death toll as of this afternoon was 130+, yesterday afternoon it was expected that at most 40+ people would lose their lives.

RIP to all who have lost their lives from these supposed arson attacks.
cassiejayne91 says – reply to this

103

As someone who live in Bendigo which is part of Vic, its so awesome to hear all the support of people from all over. I mean its going to take a lot for Vic to re bulid itself. We as a state have now lost 131 people and thats at 5:13pm our time! Two of the fires were statring by someone throwing their smoke put the window. My advice to anyone who smokes please dont do this unless you want what is happening to us to happen to you! Thank you Perez for reporting this problem that has effected all of Australia and thank you to everyone offering their support!
XOXO Love Cassie
Georgia <3 says – reply to this

104

thanks perez, so far there is 131 people dead but they think there will be more than 200 dead. a former news anchor has been confirmed dead and many people are still missing. (monday 9th of feb, 5 : 46 pm)
lizbum says – reply to this

105

thanks perez!
its so horrible to think that someone that low would do such a thing.
i have close friends who have lost houses and loved ones.
i also live close to where the fires are.
if the wind blew in the direction where i live, our house would of been gone.
averyjane says – reply to this

106

im sure all will appreciate that perez, ily
hottopic00 says – reply to this

107

Thankyou so much Perez….
Currently the death count is at 131 people
But we Australians will fight this with our uncomparable fight and spirit.
poohead says – reply to this

108

I honestly can't believe the death toll, it's devastating.
madison manson says – reply to this

109

its great that this has gotten out and attrascted so much attention, it is horrific, as far as i am aware there is a death toll of 108 adn rapidly rising, tomorrow my school is fundraising for this, anyone else who can should help out too
jesmica15 says – reply to this

110

RIP to all the people who have lost their lives in these devastating fires in Victoria. I live in North Queensland (Townsville) and we are facing floods up here. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the people who are battling the fires down there Thinking of all my friends in Victoria
vintage-lace says – reply to this

111

Thanks Perez for bringing this to so many people's attention around the world. Over the weekend the news stories were bizzare, Flooding and storms to the north of the continent, and devistating fires to the south. What makes this so much more tragic are these people were subject to terrible bushfires a few years ago, and then flooding just months after that in the Gippsland areas, and now fires again. I am truly amazed at the outpouring of support, us Aussies really do give when one of our own is in need. As I work processing cash payment claims I will be dealing with some of these people personally. There are people who have been working since 7am this morning and will be working overtime till 11pm tonight for these people. I dare say there will be a few moments when I shed tears for these brave people. I have no idea how it would feel to lose everything. The arsonists should be charged with Terrorism. Commendations to the CFS RFS and State and Federal Governments… Our prayers are with each soul affected by this disaster. x
eb.xox says – reply to this

112

thankyou!!!
im fine,
but i know people who have lost everything,
108 people have died so far this weekend due to the fires.
ebxox
bubble gum says – reply to this

113

This story is tragic. I heard that there is a possibility it was deliberately lit too, which just make is so much worse. I can't believe someone would be stupid enough to do something like that and not think through the repercussions when there is a fucking state wide fire ban.

I live on the Victorian coast, so I'm fairly safe (I literally live a 5 minute walk from the beach) but I had to drive up to Box Hill today, and we could see thick smoke coming out from mountains on the way up.
redmum says – reply to this

114

More than 130 dead so far .. toll is rising … over 700 homes lost .. more than half of Vic is a crime scene … worst disaster in our history … prayers & donations needed urgently.
that.girl says – reply to this

115

thankyou so much perez !
everyone down here is hurting and its great to know that people on the other side of the world care.

rip everyone who have been taken by the fires.
laurabelle says – reply to this

116

thanks perez.
means a lot for you to write something about it.
ive been hearing about it all day, all the losses that have happened.
131 have been confirmed dead, 750 homes lost and 3500 homeless and still counting, worst bushfires ever.
whentheraincomes says – reply to this

117

victoria and north quensland need all the support they can get.
the rest of the country, and the world is thinking of you.
we are all behind you
h311o says – reply to this

118

Its terrible and my heart goes out to Victoria and its people. I can only imagine how awful it must be and then to know there is a vast chance that some idiots have started it deliberately. There's some very sick and disturbed people out there. Australian PM Kevin Rudd has told them that anyone responsible has caused mass murder. I can only hope and pray that the end is in sight soon. And might I add, the idiots who are posting unsympathetic or irrelevant messages here, go and find the story in the news and I bet you won't be laughing.
Alissa Ruby says – reply to this

119

Half of my family lives in Gippsland where the fires are and my cousin with her four kids is about to loose her home. its hell down here - at the moment there are a confirmed 131 dead and its expected to rise to over 200 by the end of this. whats really irritating is that queensland is completly flooded with water and there is no way of getting the water down here to get the flames out.
katieiscool says – reply to this

120

thanks perez
131 people are dead now and its rising , so sad….
Ashy6588 says – reply to this

121

Hey Perez, Thankyou for leaving this post. Im located currently about 15 minutes out from the fires. Its devastating, i just want to thank all your readers for there support. Were a community in shock, but looking around its amazing how much support everyone is giving. My friend has lost her mum and dad and another his children. ITs difficult to comprehend. If anyone located in Victoria has supplies listen to ABC radio to find out what is needed. Much appreciated. Also come down voluteer and diamond creek community centre we need you help. Lots of love, Ash
aussiebornnbred says – reply to this

122

Hey Perez, thanks for you for your post. It is 1am Tuesday morning here in Australia and the death toll from the fires is at 131. They are expecting it will rise to over 200. The fires are still burning and there are 5000 people homeless. It is the worst natural disaster in our history. We need your prayers.
Hate Low Class People says – reply to this

123

Now Muslims morons are telling their stupid followers to start fires in Australia, Canada, U.S. and other western countries. Can the towelheads get any more degenerate?????????/ Oh wait, they can! They beheaded another hostage in Pakiland!
noorziia says – reply to this

124

What angers me the most is that two girls my age were stupid enough to start one of the fires which destroyed 6 houses near mine. We saw the smoke in the air and were just about to start evacuating. 173 people dead and it's said to rise to near 300. I don't think anyone who hasn't experienced a day like that first-hand can understand how god damn scary it was. 47 degrees (117) is just insane. Please anyone who can, donate to the Red Cross, there are people out there who need the money more than us!
LuluLA says – reply to this

125

Thanks.
xx
LuluLA says – reply to this

126

I just watched the news.
The death toll for today closed at 230 people.
It's really sad.
But so far the red cross has collected $30.4 million.
Although estemates costs are around 30 billion.
But that estimates that every Australian has donated over a dollar.
Every radio station in the country are trying to collect more money.
People are being really generous, I heard of this guy donating $10,000.
ShazBop says – reply to this

127

To the people making fun of this very VERY serious situation, you disgust me and should be ashamed of your self! Every single person here in Australia has been effected by this! How can you sit there and make jokes? Or even say that America has there own problems? There are people dying and thousands left homeless!!! Australia has stood by America and got involved in problems that we didn't have to! You don't think were involved in the economic crisis either? You are hideous people and you make me feel physically ill, how can you be so selfish. To the majority of you giving your support thank-you, I can not express how sorry I am to all the people who have lost there lives and there homes. R.I.P xxx