Dr Brendan Nelson AO has paid tribute to firefighters and fire-affected communities on the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Dr Nelson addressed a crowd at Wingecarribee Shire Council's Australia Day official ceremony in Berrima on Sunday.
"Geoffrey Keaton was 32, Andrew O'Dwyer was 36. They were both killed on Thursday, December 19 fighting fires near Buxton," he said.
"Three of their mates were injured. They gave of themselves, they gave of their lives for us.
"Beyond our imagination, fighting fires in 100km/h winds, 60 metre high flames, walls of flame."
Dr Nelson revealed to the crowd his family had also been directly affected by bushfires.
"That day, 40 homes lost in Buxton, Balmoral and Bargo. About 60 across our shire, more than 2000 across the country, including my sister's own home in South Australia," he said.
"Yet in the context of all of that we see the kindness of strangers, of Justin and Helena whose home was lost at Balmoral on Saturday, December 21.
"They said to me 'just everyday people would come up to us, push money in our hands, give us clothing and food'.
"Throughout our community and throughout our country, everyday people opening up their homes, offering bedrooms and granny flats and lounge rooms, for homeless people completely unknown to them, to live and have shelter, and food and sustenance, and all of those things, that too often we take for granted."
Dr Nelson also paid tribute to the Australia spirit and those helping others in the community.
"In the end, as it always is, it is upon the shoulders of the everyday Australian man and woman that our culture, our identity and our safety ultimately rests on," he said.
"The idealism and the heroism of these men and women, volunteers, employees in emergency services, employees in our local government and non-government organisations... it is upon them that our identity and culture rests, not one day should go by in this country where we should ever take that for granted."
Dr Nelson was the Wingecarribee Shire's Australia Day ambassador.
It has been Australia's lost summer. Drought, hail, floods and, worst of all, bushfires have ravaged communities all over the nation. But the selfless actions of friends, family, neighbours, strangers, local groups and volunteer organisations have inspired us and strengthened the bonds of community. Please join us in saying thanks to the heroes of the home front by sharing your stories of gratitude. To salute a person or a group, please use the form below.
