For several years Australia, the beautiful country in which I live, has been experiencing episodes of devastating bush-fires (interspersed with years of tragic flooding).  Lives have been lost, hundreds of homes have been destroyed and thousands of Australia’s native animals burnt alive.

I won’t try to pretend this record is full of hope – it’s not – it is a reflection of the reality of the situation.

It is during such crises though that we see the best in people.  Our firefighters (many of them volunteers) do incredible things, risking their own lives day after day whilst battling exhaustion, to try to save lives and property.  Communities come together to help each-other and those who have lost homes.