From the moment we arrived to the time we were allowed back, the treatment we received was beyond belief. Piles of clothes, blankets, pillows, mattresses lined the walls, large drink fridges were constantly loaded, while the food supply had to be seen to be believed. 

There was a constant line of food coming in the front door to the kitchen out the back where untold workers spent the whole time preparing and presenting trays and plates of homemade and business (local and multi-national) supplied food.

A friend who had worked in the fire brigade in Queanbeyan observed it was a 5-kilo fire and I know I did add a gram or two.

To the service clubs and local organisations whose workers slaved for hours on end to ensure we were comfortable, we can only say thank you.

To the officials whose job it was to keep us informed as to what was happening in our town, we say congratulations on the way you handled this most difficult of jobs.

To the firies who spent the three or four days fighting to keep our homes and town safe, we say congratulations and thank you.

To the Daily Telegraph reporters who wanted to make the tragedy political, we say go away and stay away, we can survive without you.

On personal note, we’d like to thank the owners of the Bega Car Wash who supplied a camper trailer that we slept in for three nights and who would accept nothing more than the knowledge that we were safe and comfortable.

Tathra will survive. Spirits are strong, the streets are alive again and those who have suffered will find they have many friends in town to help the in the long months ahead.

We couldn’t have done it without the people of Bega.

Our granddaughter Kristy wrote this about Tathra 10 years ago. Kristy used to visit from Sydney most holidays.

My favourite place in God’s creation is the Tathra beach because it is beautiful, fresh, relaxing and home to my grandparents. Tathra has a welcoming charm about it, with its landmarks and not to mention the great fishing and weather. It is known as the Sapphire Coast for its stunning blue waters. I think God did a great job on this beautiful small village. 

The Tathra bushfire could have resulted in a lot more devastation were it not for the many residents who stayed to assist the firefighters and to voluntarily defend properties  from spot fires in backyards, gardens, sheds, garages and roofs.

The houses in Pacific St above the primary school and the houses in Pimms Lane would not be standing without the bravery and dedication of Peter Windle, John Plumb, Steve Strevens, Joe Heaton, Gus Waddell and Graham Elliott. Thanks very much to all of you on behalf of about 40 households. 

The Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) are in the news.  Apart from the irritant that they may be renewed to the detriment of our natural native forests and the economy, the abbreviation “RFA’s” when not used adjectivally adds to the pain. 

The guilty include The Guardian, The Victorian Association of Forest Industries, Coffs Harbour Advocate, Narangba Timbers, Wikipedia, and The Wilderness Society, to name a few.  The RFA’s what? I ask. The RFAs don’t need renewing, nor do they always need an apostrophe.