In late October of 2022, a financial commitment from both state and Commonwealth led to the confirmation of an 800 million dollar recovery package for the Northern Rivers—this package appeared to be primarily aimed at assisting those most vulnerably poised on the flood plain and promised buy-backs, retro-fits, and house raises for those who were eligible.
For those in Lismore, flood insurance isn’t a thing. They aren’t even eligible for it because they live in a flood zone. And they live in a flood zone because it is more affordable than non-flood zones in this region, a region that was in a crippling housing crisis before the floods even came. Without any other viable options provided to them, many have no choice but to rebuild their lives where they lost them. And yet here we are less than a month later, with the rains pounded down yet again, and Lismore being evacuated.
We scanned the desolate landscape for signs of life. But all we could see was black, and then more black—blackened rolling hills and charred trees surrounded us from every direction. Once a lush and thriving forest, this place was now unrecognizable.
The story of James Fitzgerald and the Two Thumbs Wildlife Trust
Bondi beach has been officially shut down with striped red tape and ramshackle fences blocking off its entrances. Bondi’s usually bustling streets of bars, cafes, and restaurants are mostly closed, with signs on their doors wishing people well and saying they will be back as soon as they can.
There is a palpable and inescapable sadness in the air these days…lost jobs, lost loved ones, an unknown future, and a bubbling global existential dread that most have never felt so profoundly.
Margot and Richard Bruinsma have been living on this land for over 40 years. Margot farms, landscapes, jars fruits, makes herbal remedies from wild-crafted flowers for herself and her neighbors, she even makes her own whiskey. She told me with a smile on her face that she gave birth to her second child, Danny, just up the hill with no one around but her husband Richard, and their 2 year old daughter at the time. It took three days, a couple broken ribs, and every ounce of strength she had, but she pushed Danny right on out on her own. If the animals do it without doctors there – why couldn’t she?
Bill, fondly called Wombat Bill, by those who know and love him, has been running a wombat refuge with his partner Lesley for almost two decades. In addition to rehabilitating sick, injured and orphaned wombats he volunteers for a variety of the major wildlife rescue groups and helps rescue any animal that may need his aid. A spirit of kindness and generosity quietly permeate all that he and Lesley do at their refuge in Major’s Creek.
The bushfires in Australia have now been burning for two months straight. Unprecedented heatwaves combined with a severe drought have led to what can now unquestionably be categorized as a national (and quite honestly, worldwide) environmental crisis. Approximately 26 million acres have burned during this bushfire season across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. In New South Wales alone, 12 million acres have burned. That’s larger than the size of Denmark. It’s estimated that over a billion animals have perished in this disaster. Some 25,000 koalas are believed to have been killed on Kangaroo island alone, after half the island burned a couple weeks ago. Some 4,000 animals have been euthanized. At least 25 people have died. At least 2,000 homes have been burnt to the ground.
An introduction…
