21 MILLION REASONS

A figure sticks in my mind today –amidst that horrible number of the body count which is never far from the surface. The figure is 21 million. That’s how many people there are in Australia. And that’s how much money you gave to the Channel Nine Australia Unites Telethon last night. And the figure is appropriate because, working in the phone room last night –with all those wonderful volunteers—it seemed like every man, woman and child in this country was contributing.

I have to admit that I was worried the Telethon could be an anti-climax. That in really tough and still uncertain economic times people had already opened their hearts and wallets with goods and services and money. After all, by the time Eddie McGuire kicked the show off there was already more than $50 million pledged to the Red Cross Appeal.

I’m glad I was so wrong. It was an extraordinary night and the Nine Network should be congratulated for pulling it all together so quickly and so smoothly. I don’t think I have ever seen such a collection of actors, singers comedians, radio and TV stars and sports champions in the one place. And they all checked their egos at the door.

The total money raised now – with the initial millions from the Victorian and Federal Governments – is now over $80million with more to come from fundraisers here and abroad.

It may sound insensitive but you are entitled to know where that money is going. And it was great to get a personal assurance from the Red Cross Chief Robert Tickner On 3AW yesterday that none would be siphoned off in expensive administration costs –as has happened with some money drives in the past.

Some e-mailers make the point that the public donations should not be used to let insurance companies off the hook. And that’s true. But anyone who lived through Ash Wednesday knows that in areas where whole towns have been wiped out no insurance policies can cover everything.

Not only for individual families left with nothing but kids left without clothes and toys, sporting clubs without equipment, libraries without books. And in many community ventures buildings and equipment have been under-insured. Without help they won’t be re-built.

Nobody dreams that a village will become a moonscape in a matter of minutes.

Last night’s event – where 21 million Aussies gave 21 million dollars in a few hours – was proof that a whole country wants to be part of long road back.

© Copyright Derryn Hinch 2009