Not drowning, waving

Not drowning, waving

In the rollercoaster ride that is the Australian climate, we have now almost arrived at the situation where our island country can enjoy a similar climate from east to west, north to south and through the great red centre.

The great Aussie extreme gauge has again caught us by surprise. Following a decade of drought, in the last few days we have caught a glimpse of what Noah lived through.

Eighteen months ago, the patches where football is played suddenly saw a dramatic increase in injuries from hard surfaces.

Sports fields were closed, games and events cancelled, and dust bowls carpeted in plastic fibre called synthetic grass. As drought gave way to fire, major events, local and regional sporting competition and school sport were postponed or cancelled as venues and playing fields no longer existed.

Many inland centres and most of Queensland lie underwater. With infrastructure destroyed, the basic human requirements for shelter, food and clothing take precedence over all else.

Economists count the cost in dollars lost, insurance agents in claims made, governments in the restoration of infrastructure and basic services, and local societies and communities in lives lost, history and income destroyed and families uprooted.

Our great population should have nothing to fear, with a tradition steeped in water sports of every description.

As the wave of destruction sweeps across our land, our boating heritage resembles a wrecker’s yard against bridge pylons. Our canoes and kayaks no longer train our Olympians but are used to ferry suppliers.

The secret petrolheads among us determine at the last moment to drive the rally of their lives, only to find themselves ensnared in floodwaters beyond their control.

One of the finest attributes of the Australian character has come to the fore: those who volunteer to assist fellow members of society are a beacon of hope. Rather than lose hope, Aussies greet each day with a new resolve.

It is an attribute that Aussies young and old carry with them onto sports fields here and abroad.

Many of the greatest triumphs of Australian sport are the results of long bitter experience, embodied by the darling of the diving world, Matthew Mitcham.

Isn’t it time your resolve became reality? Join a team or group from the Queer Sports Alliance Melbourne.

info: For more information visit
www.queersportsmelbourne.org

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