It's been a long time since I wrote a newsletter but the events of the past week have prompted me to reach out and ask for your help.

As you've no doubt heard, the Australian state of Victoria was ravaged last Saturday by the worst bush fires in the country's history. Over 300 people were killed and thousands lost their homes. The images and interviews shown on Australian television over the past week have been heartrending, and the Red Cross has set up a Victoria Bushfire Fund to help the victims rebuild their lives. If you can empathize with people who've lost absolutely everything, including their homes, clothing, financial records, photo albums and irreplaceable mementos, not to mention - in some cases - family and neighbors, then please take this opportunity to donate what you can to the Red Cross Appeal. Visit the Red Cross web site at: Red Cross Victoria Bushfire Fund

The other victims of the fires are those who can't speak of their suffering... the wildlife who live in the region. It's estimated that over 1 million animals have died, and many that were rescued by wildlife officers had to be euthanased, such was the extent of their injuries. This morning's paper features a heartbreaking photo of a severely injured female koala, whose fate remains uncertain. But the photo that's been beamed around the world is that of CFA (County Fire Authority) member David Tree sharing his water bottle with Sam the Koala. Although the photo was taken a week before the actual bush fires (during a backburning exercise), Sam was in fact one of the victims of the subsequent inferno, but is now recovering at the Mountain Ash Wildlife Shelter where she's been reunited with David.

To donate money towards the rescue of wildlife, please visit the Wildlife Victoria web site at: Wildlife Victoria

To see a movie of David's encounter with Sam the Koala, visit this page: Sam the Koala Video

Then make your donation by clicking on this link: Wildlife Victoria

Thank you for helping!

Marguerite Bonneville