To Be Australian (A Wonderful Thing).

I don't even really know where to start with this, as most of us don't know where to start with feelings right now, so bear with me if it's a little bit sketchy in parts.

It occured to me in thinking about what is going on, that some of the readers of this blog aren't Australian, and I wanted to write something that might help them to understand what is happening in Australia right now beyond just the news.
But I really don't feel like I have the right words.
I don't think anyone does.

My grandmother, from the time I was very young, has always told me that she truly believes there is no country luckier than ours, and I think the scenes that we've seen over the past couple of weeks have cemented that belief for me.
That may sound silly to many people; to call us lucky when we are experiencing what we are currently experiencing, and on such a large scale.

But despite how prone Australia is to so many natural disasters, and perhaps because of it, we discover strength in the face of crises with an unmatched and unique character.
We saw it in the Black Saturday fires, we see it in every farmer who has persevered through the droughts and we are seeing it now.

It is testament to Australia's national pride that we have people like Ray Cole, whose heart beats so strong that he would risk his own life, apparently in the face of arrest threats (Seriously, QLD Police?!), to save that of a joey kangaroo, because he says he was raised to help others where he could, and he "couldn't stand there and watch our coat of arms just drown".
 
.

It is testament to Australia's resiliance and humor that in the face of some of the worst floods we've ever seen, we dress statues of our sporting heroes in 'floaties', not because we're not taking this disaster seriously, but because after the horror of the scenes we're seeing right now - the horror of losing homes and histories and, God forbid, loved ones - an image like this might for a split second, help someone to smile just when they need it.
 
.

It is testament to just how selfless Australians are that a 13 year old boy who couldnt swim, lost his life because he told his rescuer "save me brother first".

13 years old.
Christ.
There just aren't words for that.
 
.

It is just plain and simply testament to Australia's sense of community that our mateship extends beyond neighbours and family; beyond the town we live in, or even the state.
That in the face of  losing everything, we will still lend a hand to those around us.
That we will give what we can, however we can.
That there are churches and sporting clubs (often one in the same in this country) putting aside any difference of beleif just to move furniture, save pets, operate rescue centres and just generally help anyone who needs it, regardless of who they are.
 
.

And this all seems to go doubly for Queenslanders, who experience disaster year after year in droughts, hurricanes, floods, you name it; and they get back up after each and every knock.

In Anna Bligh's media address this morning, she cried as she told the state:
"As we weep for what we have lost, and as we grieve for family and friends and we confront the challenge that is before us, I want us to remember who we are.
We are Queenslanders.
We’re the people that they breed tough, north of the border.
We’re the ones that they knock down, and we get up again."



In our country, we choose to rebuild the spirits of those around us before think about rebuilding our homes. And that is why I'm proud to be able to identify myself an Australian.  

I'm beginning to understand that it is also where my grandmothers beleif stems from.
It's the people that make this country a lucky one.
Very possibly, the luckiest of all.

http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html
(Photos sourced from heraldsun.com.au and theage.com.au).