Australia in national mourning for victims of deadly fire
February 23, 2009 by
Filed under World new
The tears fell on the face of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, said that while the flames of hell called “Black Saturday” in the February 7 tested the character of the nation. He said the country responded with courage, compassion and resilience.
“In recent days we have witnessed the untold suffering,” said Rudd during the transmission of a national mourning ceremony. “We have lost mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. We have lost brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, the youngest of children.”
“These are precious lives. No word can give comfort to a very personal spite, but just know this: You, the suffering, they are not alone,” he added.
Rudd said that authorities at all levels have failed their communities by other tragedies past and that this should not be allowed back with the residents of villages devastated by fire.
He promised “a solemn contract with each of these communities to rebuild brick by brick, home by home, school by school, church, church, street by street.”
The official also announced that the tragedy would be remembered each February 7 by placing flags at half mast on government buildings and moments of silence.
Thousands of Australians attended the ceremony Sunday to large and small in memory of the victims of the deadliest fires in the country.
The Governor of the Australian state of Victoria John Brumby and Rudd presided over the ceremony at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
The survivors gathered in parks and city residents in public areas where the observed transmission of the ceremony on giant screen.
The number of confirmed dead stood at 209 on Sunday, but authorities have said they could still find bodies in the rubble, bringing the figure could rise.
