Few Australians will not be aware of the devastating storms that battered New South Wales last week, unfortunately claiming a number of lives and millions of dollars in damage as the Hunter River burst its banks and flooded many towns in the NSW Central Coast. Indeed, the storms have been reported widely across the world, and have been the worst to hit the region for over 30 years.
Now, in the latest of my series of Why I Love Australia, I’d also like to comment upon the fact that for the two major Eastern States (Queensland and New South Wales), there is an annual rugby tournament which is fiercly contested, called State of Origin.
Although by rights I should gloat about Queensland’s glorious victory over NSW last night, ending a the “hoodoo curse” of QLD never beating NSW at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney; I won’t out of respect for the NSW supporters who are extremely annoyed at losing the series for the second year running. (heehee).
However, what I would like to point out is the predicament that those affected by the NSW Storms/Floods were in. With the local watering holes flooded out, how could the local community support the Blues in the match? Well, thanks to the State Emergency Service, the day was saved by emergency rations of beer being delivered by boat and helicopter, just in time for the match.
This is a great example of Australian mateship. No matter how difficult the situation, no matter how hard times we fall upon, I love the fact that you’re always there to help a fellow Aussie in dire times of need (for example, when a disaster occurs, in times of need, or most importantly, when the hotel runs out of beer). So thanks to the SES, the beer was in the pub in time for Origin II.
Doesn’t it make you proud.
Unfortunately, the way the BBC reported the same story simply makes us sound like a nation of alcoholics. Bloody poms.