To Celebrate - or not.

At the time of writing, the 75% of the state that I grew up in has been declared a disaster zone. After many years of drought and serious concerns about a lack of water, the rains have fallen. It has never been more apt to use the saying "It never rains, but it pours."

Over the last few days I have watched from afar as the city I grew up in has been swallowed by her river, the news reports were horrific and I sat stunned as iconic landmark and places of personal significance were quickly covered by a swollen, fast flowing river. The images of my fellow Queenslanders helping family, mates and even strangers were touching and the stoic, calm nature of the Brisbanites is to be applauded. During the last few days, Queenslanders banded together in a crisis - there have been some rough times, and sadly a number of them have lost their lives.

Tonight I have seen the call to forego the annual fireworks display for Australia Day and it's an amazing tribute to the humanity of the people joining the call. I want to put a different call out there - having come together as one in a time of crisis, they have earned their right to come together in celebration of everything that makes our country and their state such an amazing place to live. Our other states should join in with celebrating - we should come together as a community during our good times, because we don't know when next we'll be called on to come together in crisis.

Celebrate! 22.5 Million people all celebrating together - what could be a better show of solidarity and mateship. How better to celebrate how Queensland and Australia was richer for the lives of those who were lost to the floods? Yes, fireworks cost money, money is crucial to the process of rebuilding. One day of reward and acknowledgement of these people, is priceless.