Whole human communities are being destroyed in the raging fires in Victoria, Australia. The destruction invoked by extremes of weather and it would seem, the reckless, murderous hand of man, have meted out terror to all kinds of life in the region.

At the last count, 170 people were said to have died, It is likely these figures are of people actually known to have died. The final toll could be very much higher.

Today I heard an appeal being made on behalf of the people who remain to pick up their shattered lives. What struck me about this appeal was how tentatively it was voiced. It sounded to me, at any rate, like the speaker was saying that he understood there were many calls on goodwill at this time and he didn't want to add to the burden. I found it refreshing. The Red Cross are handling any donations on behalf of the disaster victims. There were no heart rending stories just the facts, as far as they are known, as to what has been and is happening.