Being an Australian, it’s hard to believe or to even get some kind of grasp on the tragedy that has been the recent bushfires in Victoria. It's incomprehensible that hundreds are homeless and nearly two hundred lives have perished.
There has been a great amount of support and generosity expressed from the Australian public which is clearly evident from listening to 3AW news talk. They are continuously taking calls from listeners who are making donations and people who are all too keen to help out where needed. There were many messages of encouragement on the station for people to shop at Coles stores around the state, who will be giving all profits made from Friday to the fire victims of the bushfire disaster.
The first thing that got drawn to my attention when I tuned into 774ABC radio was a memorial ceremony that was coming directly from St Pauls cathedral for all victims that have lost their lives or homes from the fires and whilst there were some references to how people could help the fire victims later on, the station mainly seemed to focus on the emergency updates for potential fire risks in particular areas around Victoria with messages of warning and mentions of roads that have been affected by the bushfires. There has been widespread frustration at the way roadblocks have been managed during the ongoing bushfire crisis. Police said in a radio interview that one officer was assaulted by a resident wanting to return to their property during Saturday's fire in the city.