Editorial, January 14, 2011

Words that echo with memories of last year’s earthquake in Haiti and flooding in Pakistan. But the disaster zones and shelters that have been established in this instance are not on the other side of the globe. And those that need our succour and support do not speak a foreign language.

The devastation is just a few kilometres away and those counting the cost are our fellow countrymen and women

Of course, no one denies that our own emergency services and aid agencies are far better equipped to cope with the carnage than those overseas examples. And our state and federal governments are in a far healthier position to contribute to the cost of the relief and clean-up operations in the wake of the Queensland floods.

But such is the magnitude of this catastrophe that they cannot do it without our help.

We have all seen the images on television and the pictures in the papers; we’re all aware of the hardships that the residents of Queensland will face in the days, weeks and months ahead; and we all know that we can help alleviate their suffering.

As a people, throughout history, we have experienced more than our own fair share of trauma.  But whenever tragedy or cruelty struck, there were always those, individuals we’d never met, who reached out. We, perhaps more than any other people, know how even the smallest kindness from a stranger, can alleviate our burden, raise our spirits and offer hope   in the darkest hours.

Little wonder then that when tragedy or cruelty strikes others, we dig deep and give. Haiti, Pakistan and, of course, the Carmel fires in Israel, just three examples in recent months of our unbounded compassion and capacity as a community to help those in need, to adhere to the principal of tikkun olam.

Today, it is to the residents of Queensland we can show kindness. Not just via donations to the relief appeal, but also by helping to provide those vital supplies, those bare necessities that restore a sense of normality and a feeling of worth in those affected, those forced to flee their homes with nothing. From toys to toothpaste to tissues, we urge our readers to give what they can to the drive  AJN is running with Chabad of RARA and Our Big Kitchen.

Please be generous, please show you care.