As Queensland and northern N.S.W.start to clean up and to mourn their tragic loss of life and property we also must remember that Northern Western Australia has also experienced vast floods, Southern W.A. bush fires which it is suggested was the work of arsonists., now Victoria today, the north west of the State and now closer to the outer suburbs of Melbourne are being sandbagged with Rivers and streams overflowing their banks. We are fortunate here that finally the torrential rain seems to have stopped and disaster has been averted. I know this is outside family search but a poem published by Dorothea MacKellar in 1908 "My Country" was inspired by her family home in Gunnedah, central N.S.W, and her words especially today still sum up and inspire us who call Australia home. Patricia G. in Melbourne.