Mogo and Batemans Bay business owners have thanked the community for their support since the fires, and described the challenges that continue to persist.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mogo Mutts owner Averill Berryman was grateful for the donated temporary buildings that allowed her and other Mogo business owners to get back to work. After the fires, she "didn't have enough left in me" to restart real estate agency ABC Property Sales, which also burnt down. Ms Berryman said it was "hard to see past" the summer, as a new premises hadn't been secured yet for the future. Ms Berryman thanked the Mogo Village Business Chamber for their support.
The chamber's president Richard Adams faced a horrific year that included the burning of his home. He said rebuilding could be a daunting task for those who never had construction experience. He said the chamber's small volunteer-based group had submitted six grant applications so far to support Mogo, but was only successful with one. The chamber was looking for more volunteers to help in community projects.
READ MORE: Store restarts outside Mogo rubble
Roman Leather Goods and Repairs' Lorena Granados thanked the community for their support. She said they didn't receive many new customers in the new location next to the carpark, however, she was expecting a busy summer season: "The community has been amazing. I just hope people don't lose hope and trust in the large organisations because they really did help us a lot."
The Batemans Bay Soldiers Club was home to the Eurobodalla Recovery Centre in January to March. CEO Paul Biddlestone said everyone would react to the anniversary of the fires differently: "I don't know if it's going to be a celebration on New Year's Eve; people are going to be subdued - and for good reason."
He said many club staff members had spent the last 12 months putting their lives back together.
