Australia.

Australia is a deadly place to live, there is no making fun of that. Within six months, we were living in a dangerous drought, with Western Australia and Adelaide still desperate for water. Now, in the middle of summer an area the size of Spain, Germany and France combined is flooding in Queensland.

While we happily describe ourselves as the 'Lucky Country', and genuinely believe it so, we are home to the harshest conditions in most of the world. We have found ourselves complaining about a lack of rain, and within a month are wishing we had a little less. Within five days here in Victoria, we have had a 35 degree day and one with 15 hours of consistent rain. Melbourne is persistently referred to as having 'four seasons in one day' and it is not a joke. The other areas usually only have one season, a harsh one. Perth is expecting 34 degrees on Wednesday, Adelaide 32 with rain, Melbourne 25 and rain, Hobart 18. Each a part of one country.

As with the extreme bush fires of 2009, the Queensland floods of 2011 have produced deadly conditions, and, unfortunately death. When the darkest times approach Australians, we respond. We respond with daring rescues, and defy the conditions. No doubt, within the next week there will be dozens of stories following escapes and brushes with death. We respond with help too, there has already been a televised appeal raising money and the dollars will continue to come as we help out our own neighbours.

In times of need Australian's help each other more than we do when it is not desperately needed. This explains why and how this group of great humans have survived the times and conditions of this land. The environment will not wait for any man, and no man will wait for Australia. We keep moving, we survive and we prosper with humour, humility and grace, it is the Australian spirit and the Australian way. As we face adversity we work our way through, and while we survive and return to living we will not forget. It is the Australian way.