Mrs Aird is doing just that as she watches a Greek tragedy unfold from afar.

The worst wildfires in Greece for a decade have destroyed countless properties and killed young and old.

On Thursday morning the death toll stood at 81 with 186 people seriously injured and about 100 people missing.

Members of the European Union has gone to the aid of Greece.

On Thursday Mrs Aird expressed relief that her cousin Toula was safe and “nowhere near” the fires.

But she has cried and prayed for a nation close to her heart.

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Mrs Aird was born in Gilgandra to Greek immigrants.

“The culture we were brought up with was very Greek,” she told the Daily Liberal.

“Even though we were born and raised in Australia, our roots are still Greek.” 

Mrs Aird said her cousin had told of the “financial crisis” in Greece affecting its capacity to respond to the fires.

“She said they just don’t have enough equipment and trained people which is why they appealed to the EU for assistance,” the Dubbo woman said.

She wonders if the country will be able to recover.

“I’m very sad because it is the seat of democracy and a country with so much history,” Mrs Aird said.

“Some of the houses that have been destroyed are probably 200 years old or more.

“So much has been wiped out and so many people have lost their lives. It’s just horrific and difficult to comprehend.”

Mrs Aird, who spent her honeymoon on the Greek Island Kythira almost 53 years ago, is frustrated at “being unable to help”.

“If a catastrophe happens in Australia, you can donate money or food or clothes, but from this distance what can you do?”

Mrs Aird will continue to “watch and pray”.

“I think a lot of prayers have gone across to the people of Greece in the last few days,” she said.

The fires are being blamed on a summer heatwave in Europe.

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