Music has never been far from residents’ ears as the areas of Tathra and Reedy Swamp rebuild following the March bushfire.
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Tathra Post Office’s Deb Alker said in the days following the tragic event, musician Peter Howe wandered the streets with his guitar, as smiling onlookers stood and enjoyed the melodies.
Before long the number of instruments grew, as the sounds of a flute and a violin drifted across the coastal community.
“People would stand outside [the shop] watching,” Ms Alker said.
“The [Band Together] concert was also a big hit.”
Psychologists often say music can play a role in helping individuals and communities cope with trauma, and Ms Alker said music helped lift people’s spirits in a difficult time.
Vimy Ridge Road resident Allan Noble recorded a song titled Red Dress after losing almost his entire 50 hectare property in the blaze.
An avid music lover, Mr Noble said while it’s “hard to throw a dart at where to start again”, he’s putting “one foot in front of the other”.
