Very frightening and tragic for those who lose property and livestock and a terrible toll is inflicted on the wildlife. Every time I see the news I think of all my friends and relatives who are facing this unprecedented bout of bushfires and all the beautiful places where I have been that are now a scene of devastation with blackened bare trunks.

My Mother's property, now owned by my sister and her husband is out along the Oxley Highway from Wauchope and has 80 forest. My brother and his wife (and her family) are also out to the Northwest of Wauchope. My youngest brother and his wife have a house on the northern outskirts of Sydney, also surrounded by bush even if not close to the house. He was fortunate to be able to get some off duty time from the Ambulance Service when the fires were near his home. I am sure they are having a busy time of it too.

I know what it's like to be at the sharp end of this as I spent some time in a Civil defence Rescue Squad and as a volunteer bush fire fighter. These things can move at an unbelievable speed and I have had to run for my life on two occasions. Fortunately we were in a position where we had an escape route.

Peter

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