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And still incredible tales of generosity and survival continue to be revealed after the raging bushfires swept through large swathes of the nation. We've included some non-bushfire-related articles, too, but know that ACM websites continue to tell the stories, good and bad, of fire-hit communities across the nation every day of the week.
CROOKWELL GAZETTE: The tales of those who stayed to fight the Green Wattle Creek fire
Richard Glover and wife Debra Oswald were in their 20s when they built their mudbrick weekender with the help of their friends. As the Green Wattle Creek monster roared along its destructive path, they lost a shed next to the house that was made from 1920s timber and wallpapered with 1940s copies of the Goulburn Post. There was more, but they know they are among the lucky ones. Not everyone was so fortunate. READ ON
WIMMERA MAIL-TIMES: The treechangers leaving their mark on Dimboola
John and Alex O'Halloran first fell under Dimboola's charms 30 years ago, but it was a family wedding that convinced them to move there and open one of two new businesses to bring a renaissance to the town's main street. The other business, Dimboola Imaginarium, is owned by Jamie and Chan Uoy, in their words: ' couple of gay guys from Melbourne.'
"We weren't too worried but we did check to see what percentage voted yes (in the marriage postal survey). It's all been very positive." READ ON
THE CANBERRA TIMES: I lost my home in the South Coast bushfires. Here's what I'd like to say to the PM
Nick Hopkins is a retired landscape architect. He and his wife are residents of Malua Bay and lost their home in the bushfires on New Year's Eve. This is a snippet of his letter to the PM:
"You have said you understand my suffering. My heartfelt desire is that your God grants you the ability to see how hollow and insincere that feels to me when you (and Labor) continue to promote the thermal coal industry, which is fanning the flames of intense suffering of humans and animals worldwide. Australian coal is out there in the world being burnt every day and night. Please Mr Morrison, if only for God's sake, join the dots." READ ON
THE ADVOCATE: The sad tail of Dallas the rescued dog wags again
A two-year-old dog at the centre of an aggravated animal cruelty case has been rescued by a loving family, at a time when they, too, needed it most. Dallas the staffy-cross was found emaciated, filthy and riddled with fleas in a Burnie home. A second dog was found dead.
Now, six months (and an animal cruelty court case) later, Dallas is giving back to his new family more than you could ever imagine. READ ON
NAMBUCCA GUARDIAN: Raising the roof for the kindness of strangers
Lucas Davies and Mick Watson had never been to Nambucca before. "It's beautiful here, isn't it?" Lucas says.
The two tradies and cousins from Melbourne's eastern suburbs had planned to travel to Pambula on the South Coast with their families for their Summer break. But the bushfires put a stop to those plans. But what they did next serves as an inspiration ... READ ON
ILLAWARRA MERCURY: How Find A Bed founder helped hundreds of bushfire victims move into homes
It is a pretty simple concept.Match someone who doesn't have a bed with someone who does.
Seeing residents sleeping in cars or in an evacuation chair after they fled or lost their homes in a bushfire prompted Oak Flats-raised Erin Riley to do something practical to help. From there, Find A Bed was created and the volunteer organisation has not stopped growing. READ ON
Enjoy your Sunday.
In other news across Australia ...
- Three-day search for missing woman ends in tragedy
- Home built for bushfires remains standing while others are rubble
- It's been more than 900 days since announcement of fast trains
- Japanese Air Force delivers Aussie reservists to Kangaroo Island
- Chisel, Elton John concerts help revive fire-hit vineyards tourism
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