Singer Pink donates $250,000 to Red Cross Bushfire Appeal


PINK, who is set to break records with a 13-night stint at Rod Laver Arena, has dug deep to help the country she calls her second home.



The concert diva is planning to donate $250,000 to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal, for use in helping rebuild the communities across Victoria devastated by bushfires nine days ago.

She said, "There is little anyone can do at such a long distance away but I wanted to make a tangible expression of support."

Pink's biggest fanbase outside America is in Australia, where she will be touring in May and June this year, and breaking John Farnham's record for most nights at Rod Laver Arena.

LINK

P!NK what a legend!!!

UPDATE: Australian wildfire suspect named as toll hits 189

CHURCHILL, Australia — The only person accused of lighting one of Australia's deadly wildfires was a lonely Web-surfer who liked dogs, always said "G'day" to neighbors, and was trying to find love online.

Brendan Sokaluk, a 39-year-old who reportedly once served as a volunteer fighter, was named as the suspect police arrested last week, as the death toll from the wildfires edged up to 189 on Monday.

Authorities were forced to keep Sokaluk at a secret location to protect him from potential reprisal attacks after a magistrate lifted a ban on publishing his name.

Sokaluk has been charged with one count of arson causing death and one of lighting a blaze that police said Monday killed 10 people. About 200 homes were destroyed in the fire, one of hundreds that blazed across Victoria state on Feb. 7 in Australia's' worst fire disaster.

"He was quiet. You wouldn't know if he was odd or not," said a neighbor, who did not want to be named out of sensitivity to Sokaluk's family. "He would say G'day when you passed him."

Neighbors say he kept to himself and lived alone. One said she thought he was strange because she once saw him watering his lawn in the rain.

"I told my kids to keep away from him," said the young mother, who did not want her name used so as not to draw attention to her street. "Two of my friends lost their houses in the fire. I don't know much about him but I'm glad he was caught."

Sokaluk's defense lawyer, Helen Spowart, argued in a hearing Monday that Sokaluk's identity should remain secret because of a heightened level of public anger and disgust over the case. She also raised concerns that her client's family could become a target of angry vigilantes.

"Those suspected of vigilantism would not be prevented from behaving in an abhorrent way simply by suppressing his name," said Magistrate John Klestadt.

Sokaluk did not attend the hearing and Spowart did not enter a plea on his behalf. He was ordered to remain in custody until another hearing May 26.

Victoria Police on Monday raised the death toll to 189 and said it would likely climb higher as forensic teams picked further through the ruins.

On the social networking Web site MySpace, Sokaluk describes himself as a lovelorn single man who's hoping to find a young wife. He writes that his hero is "mother earth with out her we all would be dead." He lists his occupation as "semi-retired" and describes himself as a "young happy male who wants to meet a young loven female to marrid."

Hate groups have already sprung up on Facebook. One called "Brendan Sokaluk, the Victorian Bushfires Arsonist, must burn in hell," attracted more than 3,500 members as of Monday night.

Sokaluk faces a maximum sentence of 25 years on a deadly arson charge, and 15 years for lighting a fire. He was also charged with possessing child pornography, which carries a five-year maximum sentence.

Experts say deadly arson in wildfire cases is difficult to prove, partly because different fires often join one another, making it tough to link a blaze set by an arsonist with one that eventually kills people. The Churchill fire was one such combination of blazes.

Police suspect arson in at least two other fires, but have ruled out foul play in the rest.

Nine Network television reported Sokaluk was a former volunteer firefighter.

Detailing a previously announced, high-level inquiry in to the disaster, Victorian Premier John Brumby said it would have the broadest terms possible, examining all aspects of the fires' causes and the preparedness of emergency services to respond. An initial report is due Aug. 17.

so that guy was a nutter

ZombieKitten said:

think so

Death toll is at 200.

purplesweat said:

prb said:

sooooo sad

Just found out a friend of mine who I used to live with was fighting the fire up at Kinglake - geez that must have been awful.

ZombieKitten said:

is he okay?

prb said:

he's exhausted

ZombieKitten said:

i reckon, poor bugger

mentally as well as physically.

prb said:

I'm sure he also saw things nobody ever should

ZombieKitten said:

so many ppl are going to need help 4 a long long time..


tell him my thoughts r with him and all the wonderful volunteers

ZombieKitten said:

agreed prb many people will need help to cope

thoughts from me as well and everyone else

I was just reading that they have found more bodies

chillichocaholic said:

208

national day of mourning today sunday 22nd

Such destruction and sadness. My prayers are with all of you. Please stay safe.

I heard on the news today that Feb 7th will be a national rememberance day from now on with a silent minute. The date was chosen cause that was when the fires were raging the most.

Rumours were going around that the Westboro Baptist Church (the godhatesfags.com people from USA) were coming to Australia to picket the fire victim memorial at Rod Laver Arena yesterday. They listed this event on their picket schedule on their website. They claimed that the fires and deaths occured because Melbourne tolerates gay ppl and that God hates our country. It seemed there was gonna be some conflict but they did not show.

It's hard to comprehend that these cock knobs resort to justifying their hatred and phobias through religion and a God to portray their malicious actions.

PanthaGirl said:

aaaaah is that what it is

don't they know God loves EVERYBODY? love your fellow man - what lunatics

OK, my sister and her family, dog and cat are coming to stay at our place, she's evacuated - firefront 500m from her house

it's really hot and windy right now, she sounded really scared "it's HORRIBLE" she said
[Edited 2/22/09 21:33pm]

Urgent Threat Message - Nixon Road Fire Upwey 3.50 pm (40 minutes ago)

Urgent Threat Message for residents in the vicinity of Nixons Road Upwey and surrounding areas
23/02/2009


Incident Information

The grass and scrub fire, burning within Birds Land Reserve near Nixon Road, Upwey (Melways Map reference 83 J2), is burning in a southerly direction and is approximately 15 hectares in size. The communities of Belgrave, Belgrave Heights and Belgrave South may be directly impacted upon by this fire. In particular residents in the vicinity of Nixon Road, Ryans Road, Mt Morton Road, Vista Road, Tor Road, Fairmont Avenue, Heath Road, Huon Rd,Osborne Avenue, Gumtree Grove, Hood Street, Chaundy Road, Orchid Road, Spring Road, Retreat Road, The Strand, Mervyn Road, Kirkham Road and Courtneys Road will experience direct fire activity.

The communities of Selby, Upwey, Lysterfield and Narre Warren East need to be aware that fire activity has increased and has the potential to impact directly.

Core Advice

Residents in this area may experience smoke and burning embers reaching their properties, and are advised to patrol their houses to find and put out any burning embers that may be landing.
Protect yourself from radiant heat by wearing correct protective clothing consisting of long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots and a broad brimmed hat. On no account should synthetic material be worn.
As the fire front approaches, it will be unsafe to be either on foot or in a car as the heat radiating from the fire will be intense. Buildings will offer the best protection during the passage of a fire front. Close all doors and windows and stay inside the house while the fire passes. Remain alert, extinguish any small fires and if necessary, move outside to burnt ground once the fire has passed.
If you are caught on the road, don't get out and run.
Pull to the side, preferably in an area clear of tall trees and long grass.
Put your hazard lights on and close the windows and vents.
Cover any exposed areas of skin with a woollen blanket and get down as low as possible.
Only when the fire has passed do you get out and move to safety.
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Residents away from home should not try to return to the area as access is limited and the roads may not be safe.
Continue to listen to ABC or local radio for updates on this fire.

ZombieKitten said:

OMG wow!!!!! Have you made a list hun just in case, of things u will take?

missmad said:

no, not ME my sister - and she is safely at my place, with her pets and her computer lol

charlotte. Scary stuff. Glad ur sister and family r safe

PanthaGirl said:

FFS

prb said:

I feel very happy everyone is here, having a few drinks and pizza.