Speech
ADDRESS BY
HER EXCELLENCY MS QUENTIN BRYCE AC
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
ON THE OCCASION OF
MESSAGE TO THE NATION ON THE VICTORIAN FIRES AND QUEENSLAND FLOODS
PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA
10 FEBRUARY 2009
Victorian Bushfires and Queensland Floods
MPEG Format
WMV FormatFellow Australians
We are witnessing in our country:
a grave emergency;
unconscionable devastation and loss;
untold human courage and suffering;
fires and floods among our most shattering natural disasters.
We are utterly bewildered by the ferocity and ambit:
of the infernos tearing across more than three hundred thousand hectares of Victoria and parts of New South Wales;
and the deluges engulfing and isolating northern Queensland towns.
To those in the midst of the terror and tragedy, we send our thoughts, our hearts, our prayers, and our most profound admiration.
They are:
families holding tight, grateful to be alive, waiting for news of loved ones and coping with intense sadness;
residents securing their treasured homes and properties; neighbours and strangers sharing the little they have with those who have lost everything; firefighters and other emergency and support services, the police and military, hospitals, and relief workers – individuals who wholly deliver themselves to others’ safety and wellbeing.
And those who fought as hard, but were overwhelmed by forces too immense:
those who lost their lives; the inconsolable who couldn’t reach them; the towns ravaged, and communities stricken.
Together, we must do whatever needs to be done.
We must continue to face the crisis with the magnificent skill our fire and rescue authorities have unfailingly demonstrated from the start.
We must feed and clothe, and house and treat the traumatised, bereft and injured.
We must support people in their grief.
And when the urgency passes, we must stay on for the tough and costly rebuilding:
of lives, livelihoods and futures; of confidence and hope; of homes, schools, emergency service facilities, shopping centres, post offices, parks and camp sites – the buildings and places at the centre of our existence.
On Australia Day I spoke of Australians in difficult times returning to what is precious, and calling upon our reserves of courage for its defence.
Those times are upon us right now, demanding the greatest generosity of spirit and effort.
Please take time to think deeply about what you can do to usefully help. I know our capacity for giving and doing for I see it wherever I travel throughout our nation and beyond. I urge all Australians to find the best and bravest of it, and put it to work.