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We are one, but we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We share a dream and sing with one voice:
I am, you are, we are Australian.

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The  following  pages are dedicated to our great country Australia, its courageous people who were unprepared
for the fury of the fires that ravaged the countryside, wiping out two townships, and its wake leaving despair, utter devastation, at the number of lives and homes as well whole communities lost to us, many made homeless.

 

       Australia grieves its losses:
 

 

A Bit of History of Marysville:

 

 

Marysville was well known for its beautiful gardens and scenery, and as a gateway to year-round outdoor activities. Nestled in the foothills of Melbourne’s closest ski fields, scenic Marysville was surrounded by waterfalls and tall forests of mountain ash.

 

Marysville was established in 1863 as a stopover for diggers on the way to the nearby Woods Point goldfields.
 
The town streets were a riot of colour in spring,
when cottage gardens came alive with blossoms of dogwood, azaleas and rhododendrons.

The wonderful avenue of century-old oak trees in the main street used to form a cooling canopy in summer and a golden display in autumn.

 

Steavenson Falls, which at 82 metres is one of
 the highest waterfalls in Victoria.
It was a magnificent sight by day and used to be floodlit at night.
 
Along Lady Talbot Drive was a wonderful drive through  the magnificent eucalypt forest. a short rainforest walk to see waterfalls and panoramic views along the way.

 

The Cumberland Memorial Scenic Reserve and the stand of old growth mountain ash, one of the tallest tree species in the world.

 

Along the Cumberland walk you would have discovered spectacular and intriguing features such as the Big Tree, the tallest living tree known in Victoria.

Lake Mountain for winter time cross country skiing or to wander through wildflowers along walking trails in spring and summer.

Marysville was 96 kilometres east of Melbourne.

 The two hour drive along the Maroondah Highway winds through the scenic Black Spur, all which is no more.

We will take time to remember our country men,  women and children, who have lost their lives so terribly, and pray for those who mourn their losses, and for those who have been injured and made homeless by this tragedy which has befallen Australia.

God Bless and keep you strong in your resolve to rebuild a new and better tomorrow. 

God's Blessing upon you.

We will rebuild:

Together we will pray for all those,
who so tragically lost their lives and for their families, as well as all burn victims,  from the various towns and communities:
 
We also send up prayers  for all the brave
firefighters who are still battling the fires, as well
as all our volunteers, and all who are involved
in aiding our fellow man women and children:
 

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©Women With Integrity
Web Mistress Icemaid  2009
©Poetry Joanne Pons
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Many thanks Ladies
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