A group of Canberrans have penned a love letter to the South Coast to reassure residents and businesses those in the capital will heed their calls to come back.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Lisa Pethram said the idea was a collaborative effort between her and friends who wanted to respond to the Canberra Come Back video released by Batemans Bay businesses last week.
"We were really touched by the Batemans Bay video and I guess we wanted to have a conversation with the people who made the video and others at the South Coast to reassure them we are starting to feel ready to come back," she said.
The video was filmed last weekend in locations around Canberra and down at Batemans Bay.
The music video begins with Canberrans looking forlorn in P2 masks, referencing the recent smoke haze that has blanketed the city and longingly looking at Lake Burley Griffin wishing it was a beach.
It ends down in a celebration at Batemans Bay.
Ms Pethram said they put a call out on social media on Saturday and about 25 people were involved with the making of the video, which was filmed on a mobile phone.
The song is a parody of Savage Garden's 1997-hit Truly Madly Deeply.
"I want to stand with you on a mountain" is replaced with "I want to drive down Clyde Mountain" and "I want to drive down Brown Mountain".
There is also a nod to initiatives that have encouraged people to buy big at the South Coast in lyrics such as "I'll buy your bait, I'll buy your fish and chips and groceries" and "I'll rent your house, I'll rent your boat and all your Airbnbs".
Ms Pethram said she hoped the video inspired other Canberrans to pack their bags and head down.
"We're really feeling for people down there at the moment," she said.
"We're also hoping the video will encourage other Canberrans to get down there as well."
READ MORE:
Please join us in sharing your stories of gratitude. It doesn't matter how, it doesn't matter where.
We will publish as many responses as we can online and in special print editions in coming weeks.
To contribute, use the form below.