Regardless of your political or social leanings, you could not help but be thankful and amazed at the professionalism and rigour of our Armed Forces. Black Hawks plucking flood victims from almost certain death, provided powerful imagery of strong soldiers gently carrying babies to safety. 

As the devastation reached Brisbane's suburbs, the transport planes flew overhead bound for the North, and trucks rolled into damp, filthy streets and began to lead the clean up and journey back to a life we thought we'd lost.

It's not the same as living through a war, but experiencing the worst of nature and the best of humanity is an amazing way to feel proud of the country we are so fortunate to call home.

Gone are the thoughts of the Australian Flag and Southern Cross coming to symbolise bigotry and racism. We worked alongside each other in the mud and sewage; Australians from all over the World, our skin colours looking very similar coated with the thick film of sludge.

There was never a doubt Australia is the lucky country, but this was a wonderful reminder that the little things really don't matter at all.