Neighbourhood: Ways to help the wildlife

I have been at a loss to post anything on this website as I watched the utter devastation of parts of Victoria over the last week. As a wordsmith, words fail me at this point.

Much has been written about the wonderful ways to help the thousands upon thousands of people who have lost loved ones and their homes. This includes the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.

I thought something useful to post here might be some links to helping wildlife who have somehow survived this inferno. It is estimated that one million animals have perished. There is some amazing work going on, including the work of Wildlife Victoria and its volunteer workers who are now on the ground and in desperate need of supplies. On Wildlife Victoria's website, there is a list of what they need at this point and drop-off points. You can find Wildlife Victoria here.

Also, the always amazing Animal Aid animal shelter at Coldstream - which is itself now on fire alert - is also organising supplies and vets and doing supply runs and work in the field. It too is in need of all sorts of supplies and money and also residents to put their hand up if they are able to foster an animal for a period of time. You can find Aninmal Aid here.

The amazing response of our community during this time has been something uniquely inspiring. The rebuilding of parts of this state is going to be a mammoth task and is going to require every inch of that spirit which has been so in abundance this week.

And if you are an international reader, there are fire report updates here.

Style notes: A (Junior) Corner Of One's Own

With a little one just starting school I felt she was ready for a slightly larger work and play space. I had found this amazing old wooden children's desk at a trash and treasure market and took it home - although at the time I had no idea where to put it or use it for. It was just so lovely. It has a pull down top and lots of little words scribbled into the old wood from previous owners.

Anyway, I thought I would find a nice little sunny corner for it and set it up and she absolutely loves it. She has stacked all her paper and pencils and other bits and pieces in it and it has become an active hub of home. The little plastic figures on top are other market finds.

Speaking of school, what an amazing yet strange transition it is - for child and parent alike. With the younger starting kinder, I have returned home to feel quite conflicted about the domestic silence. While it offers a brief few hours of freedom to GET THINGS DONE, I've realized it also signals the end of those long open days where we could just do what we felt like that day - be it a bit of pasting or a walk, with no rules or structures. How quickly that time passes......