I have to pause for thought to remember the events of the last few days around me. As I sat in air-conditioned comfort last Saturday, Australia suffered its worst ever natural disaster with at least 170 people having lost their lives and the towns of Marrysville and Kinglake wiped off the map as devastating bushfires swept my state of Victoria.

Each day as I read the news, it sinks in a little deeper just how terrible this event has been and how sudden it was.

Initially for us it was just the hottest day ever recorded in Melbourne, but then the news started filtering through. We had been complaining about how hot and awful it was but we were safe and we had air conditioning. People not far to the north of us were at that very time losing everything – including for too many, their lives.

If you are so moved, the Red Cross is organising a bushfire appeal.