Joanna Gash (Gilmore, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The tragedy of the Victorian bushfires continues to shock all Australians. I would like to record on behalf of all the residents of Gilmore our most sincere condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones. Like many hundreds of communities across Australia, we in Gilmore have been working hard through different initiatives to provide much needed financial support for the survivors. Carolyn and Richard Katon, of Gabby’s at Berri, put on a night for the survivors and raised over $21,000. Staff from my office and from Woolies in Nowra put on a barbecue in Nowra earlier this month, supported by some of our local fireys. I especially want to acknowledge the contribution of Mr Paul Silk and other staff from Woolworths in coordinating the day, organising the donations and cooking up the food. Through that effort, I am pleased to report to the House, they raised over $2½ thousand in just half a day. Hundreds of initiatives like this have taken place right across the country, and they reflect the true Aussie spirit of mateship. I attended a remembrance service in Ulladulla, at St Martin’s Anglican Church, at which a poem lovingly written was recited by local 10-year-old girl Caitlin Bonser. Caitlin has just won the state Apex Public Speaking Competition and will now go on to compete in the Australian championships, to be held in July in Perth. With the indulgence of the House, I would like to share her poem entitled Victoria’s Battle:

It just hit the Victorians

And now trying to battle

The fire gets worse

And their houses rattle

Lots of lives Taken away

And some who fought turned out to stay

Houses, cars and memories turn to ashes

This huge fire just terribly lashes

The sky which is black

And the flames which are orange and yellow

It burns people’s houses and hearts

And it turns to mellow

Fires are flying fast

Along properties and farms

People are worried as

Smoke of the fire is their alarms

Grass, trees and plants

Are shaded brown

Lots of people are crushed about their homes

In and out of town

Fire fighters have been struggling

But doing their best

Some fire fighters are so tired

That they really do need a rest

Reporters and media interviewing residents

Is a really emotional thing to do

It is heart-breaking and tearful

And especially for the new

Now this fire was not naturally made

“No way”

It was caused by an arsonist

And the plan had been laid

Now this is sad

The culprit should be in prison

But this is emotionally bad

This person has risen

So really the Victorians

Are in a fragile state

But that doesn’t mean

That Victoria still isn’t great

You can see why we are very proud of Caitlin—and the community is very, very proud of her indeed.

See this speech in context