Growth

I don't know about anyone else, but so far 2025 has failed to impress me. Aside from all the discordant goings on in the world, my own little corner of it came crashing down around my ears - literally - about a week ago when TC Alfred's remnants blew over a tree on my property and into my house. It has all left me feeling somewhat devastated and so before I get any further, I should warn you that this blog will be part rant, part soliloquy and part elegy, so if you don't have the stomach for all of that, best not to read any further.

Tall Tallowood through our house (via the pool fence!)

Damage from the Inside

Firstly, if you know me at all you will be well aware that I am a tree hugger. The tree that took out my house was a beloved Tallowood, more than 15m tall with a girth of more than a metre. She has been growing in her place since long before I was born. And whilst, it is true that the downing of the tree has caused considerable angst for myself and my partner, I haven't changed at all in my love for trees. The damage has not only affected my home, but my business, my surroundings and mental well being.

"Sentinels" watercolour and charcoal, 2022

Some may have little sympathy for me, given that I have perpetually advocated on behalf of trees, particularly in my local area. I still get angry with my neighbours and developers who mow down these beautiful sentinels for the sake of convenience or money. I always will. Because, the bottom line is that even though I am temporarily homeless due to the Tallowood, she and her counterparts are the reason I love where I live and a big part of the reason for my normally satisfactory mental health.

Not only that, she was home for a host of other wildlife, including some goshawks and pacific bazas who nested in her uppermost branches over the years. She will be sorely missed by them, and by me and I will do what I can to honour her contribution to our planet by planting more of her kind where she once stood so regally.

Bird's of Prey nesting in now deceased Tallowood.

Which leads me to the reason for her falling, her death before her time; and part of the reason for my current black mood. Yep, climate change (I did warn you). Without climate change, specifically the warming of the oceans, we would not have had the cyclone cross the coast as far south as I live in Brisbane. Yes, the tree may have eventually have fallen due to a host of other reasons, and yes, that's the risk I take by insisting on living amongst the trees. But let's be clear, the reason that I and apparently hundreds of others are making insurance claims right now is due to the impact of Alfred on SEQ - an area which is heavily populated.

So what we need to do to avoid this kind of thing happening in the future is to

a) accept that climate change is a thing

b) take constructive steps to reduce our negative impact on the planet

c) hold politicians to account regarding this matter.

I live in the Federal area of Dickson, which means that my local Federal representative is none other than Peter - climate change denier - Dutton. Despite the fact that his electorate took a direct hit from TC Alfred, he has apparently gone to ground. Nowhere to be seen; certainly not out and about doing what he can for his constituents.

Okay, that's not entirely true...I have seen his face often as I have driven around the devastated streets. But only on billboards in contexts like this (lol):

Peter Dutton billboard

Other than that: nothing. No help, no promise to do anything to prevent this from happening again, big, fat NADA. For that reason alone, I do not intend to vote for him in the upcoming election. Some of you are probably rolling your eyes right now - here she goes again, rampant lefty getting political. Well, I humbly suggest we should all get political. Especially those of us who live in Dickson. You see, probably more than anyone else, we Dicksonites have the power to ensure that Dutton does not become the next Prime Minister of Australia.

You may be observing what is happening in the States right now and thinking that it can't happen to us. Well it can and it will if Dutton becomes PM. And it has become clear that unless something is done about climate change urgently, then it won't be just trees that lose their lives in catastrophic weather events like TC Alfred. If you live in Dickson, I implore you to vote Dutton out. Because of the two party preferred system, the only way to really do that is to vote Labour, despite any preference you might have for an Independent, Green or Teal candidate.

Dickson, is growing in population. Well, human population, anyway. Let's see it grow in other ways as well - in compassion, green spaces and general livability. Make your vote count in the Federal Election and let's get some action on climate change. Then maybe I can grow back into a calmer, happier, more optimistic version of myself than what I am right now!