I had a birds eye view of two historic events during 2010, both declared natural disasters.
My year started at work, in Toodyay, covering the aftermath of the bushfire that destroyed almost 40 homes, businesses, farms and local infrastructure.
I finished the year at work in Carnarvon, covering the flooding of the Gascoyne River, which inundated hundreds of homes, businesses and destroyed farms, stations and local infrastructure.
While the Toodyay fire happened more than a year ago, the recovery continues, both practically for those who continue to rebuild their homes and emotionally for those who continue to rebuild their lives.
The clean up and recovery from the Gascoyne flood has only just begun, and it won't be a quick process.
For those of us who don't live in the Gascoyne, it's easy to forget what happened there only a matter of weeks ago. Carnarvon has disappeared from the front page of the newspaper and it no longer gets a spot on our nightly news. (Though it must be said the ABC Local Radio coverage continues!)
Most of us have enjoyed a Christmas and New Year celebration since then.
And now Queensland is dominating the headlines, as that state braces for its worst flooding in history.
While there's no doubt that Queensland will need the help of the entire nation, to clean up and rebuild, let's not forget the people of the Gascoyne, who contribute so much to this fabulous, but at times, cruel, state of ours.
Donate to the Perth Lord Mayor's Appeal.
