Amidst the devastation and loss of the bushfires, of which we've been warned there could be more to come before the season is over, there have been some shining beacons of hope.
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There is only so much blackened ground and scorched trees one can take, and when those images are littered with carcasses of once-thriving native animals - or, for that matter, any animal - the scenes can become too much to bear.
What we can be heartened by in this smoky time of turmoil and anxiety is the generosity of our community and the way we have reconnected with our rural neighbours.
This has come in waves of food and water relief for those on the ground, both in the firefighting efforts and in communities where homes have been lost. There's been money, stock feed, fencing and more attention and supplies for those caring for native wildlife, which have suffered directly from the flames, and will continue to suffer indirectly from the ravages of fire and drought.
Wildlife carers have played, and will continue to play, a huge role in the recovery of native animal populations from these catastrophic events, and it's important that they're supported in that endeavour.
After the news that more than 1 billion animals are thought to have died in the fires, and the pending decision of whether koalas could potentially be declared endangered, the federal government has committed $50 million to helping.
It takes times like these to realise what we are lucky to have in Australia, and what more we could have lost.
The money will be evenly split, with $25 million to an emergency intervention fund and $25 million for front-line environmental groups.
Environmental groups welcomed the initial money but say much more will be needed as the magnitude of the devastation becomes clear.
Most of the front-line wildlife service volunteers have been working for years saving the creatures that define and depict Australia without the slightest recognition and barely any, if any at all, government funding.
Their own wages and community support have got them through up until now, but it is about time these hardworking volunteers are recognised and supported through what are no doubt exhausting and heartbreaking times.
For people like Dr Howard Ralph at Southern Cross Wildlife Care near Braidwood, the bills are sure to pile up at times like these when he is on the road helping take care of the wildlife that call Australia home.
Unfortunately, it takes times like these to realise what we are lucky to have in Australia, and what more we could have lost.
Let's make sure we don't forget it.
