Linda Hall
Two of my daughters and their families live in the same suburb as Dreamworld.
You can see the giant drop from my youngest daughter's balcony. They have annual passes and go at least once a fortnight.
It's their playground. It fact, one of them had picked up her son from school and was on her way to Dreamworld as the tragic accident that claimed four lives happened.
I've been there, along with thousands of other Kiwis. It's big news here so you can imagine what it's like in Australia.
I talked to one of my daughters yesterday. I asked her what people were saying.
"It's split, really. Half the people are hating on Dreamworld and the other half want to support it, especially its workers.
''I feel for the workers. More than 1000 people work there. It's a huge business."
I asked if she would be going back and taking the children.
"Yes. It's a terrible, tragic accident but accidents happen everywhere. Everyone's got an opinion about how or why it happened - but until the inquiry is held nobody really knows.
''It's all just speculation and gossip, some of it really nasty."
My 8-year-old grandson, who his mother describes as a "scaredy-cat" when it comes to rides at theme parks, said to his mother, "Told you, Mum."
I'm with him, actually. I don't like anything that scares me.
Her children want to go and leave flowers. My other daughter and her children have done so. Thousands of people are trying to come to terms with the fact that something so terrible could happen at a place made for fun.
Last Sunday I was at the Teddy Bear's Picnic with family. Miss 6-year-old and her cousin Miss 5-year-old decided they wanted to go on the Hurricane Ride. It goes around and around, gathering speed, then swoops up and down.
After lots of debate about first, letting them go and second, who was going on with them, mother went with the 6-year-old and Dad went with the 5-year-old. Mother of 5-year-old was not happy: "She's too little."
Mum was actually shaking as they lined up to get on.
Finally when it was their turn and they were seated, nothing happened. The ride didn't start. From where I was standing I could see mechanics looking into the huge motor at the back. Luckily the mum couldn't see that but then she came over to me and asked "Why isn't it going?"
My eyes moved in the direction of the motor. She saw the men in overalls, turned back and yelled at her family to get off the ride. Too late, it started moving. I admit to being worried and was relieved when it stopped.
Nothing happened, of course, but my point is there's a risk in almost everything we do.
Driving, flying, working, playing . . . actually in today's world, airports and cafes can be dangerous places but we can't wrap ourselves or our children in cotton wool.
My heart goes out to the families of the four people who died. The statement by the father of the brother and sister killed made my eyes well with tears.
He pleads to be allowed to bury his children and grieve in privacy: "We ask from the bottom of our hearts, on behalf of all our families, that the country give us time and space to grieve and to farewell our loved ones."
I truly hope his plea is listened to. Respect will mean more to them than flowers and cards.