A Storm struck the Bega Valley over the weekend when Melbourne NRL players visited to aid in relief efforts.
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Headed by Bega's own Dale Finucane, a group of players from the club including Ryan Papenhuyzen, Tui Kamikamica and Aaron Pene.
After visiting home over Christmas and seeing the skies turn black with smoke, Dale said he had been following events closely around the area and the visit was important to him.
"I saw the start of things happening - I was home for Christmas - and it it was nothing like I had ever seen before when the sky turned red, I was quite worried," Dale said.
The State of Origin forward, his wife and young son had to change their travel plans and fly back to Melbourne via Canberra when the choking smoke closed Merimbula Airport.
Dale said in the days and weeks following he had been worried and scared for the safety and well-being of everyone around the Bega Valley.
"We were seeing all the fire and damage, following the RFS pages and social media, we followed it pretty closely because we have family and friends here," he said.
"I was scared for how everyone was faring ... but it's really good to come back."
The players helped clear burned fences in Quaama before joining more than 100 kids in Tathra for a fun skills clinic and signing session then later a barefoot bowls session.
Dale said it was critical to help in some small way to the recovery efforts and clearing some downed fences and helping give young people a smile was important to him.
"For me to be able to come back to my home town and do a clinic with the kids and help, it's a pretty special feeling to come back and do that," he said.
"To see the happiness with the kids to do a clinic and be able to put a smile on their faces."
Around 120 kids taking part for almost two hours of skills activities, questions to the players, photos and autographs. Dale was swamped by adoring fans for photos and autographs alongside his clubmates, who kicked the footy with the kids and even challenged the youngsters to some sprint races.
The players were praised for being energetic and enthusiastic with the kids, but were put under the hammer during the question session when a young fan asked "who do you think will get the wooden spoon this year?"
Earlier the group had been put on the tools helping clear fencelines and downed trees where Dale said it was eye-opening to see the level of work required.
"It's something I hadn't really done before [fencing] and it requires a lot of hands on, so it was good to make some small impact on that," Dale said.
The players remarked about the lush green regrowth around the Valley, but Dale said it was staggering to see the contrast from the barren brown grass during his Christmas visit.
He said it was also a challenge to see all the blackened trees, but Dale said the emerging new growth reflected the close-knit nature of the community and their stoic determination to rebuild.
"People have lost possessions, homes or worse," Dale said, but the trip reinforced how close the Valley community can be and he is sure the area will recover.
"The great thing is that it's such a close-knit community, I know people who were getting hands on while it was happening to help fight spot fires, but now helping in the recovery period, the gofundme pages, raffling and the hands on work, it's inspiring to see." The players visited the Cobargo recovery centre on Sunday and helped out as best they could while also engaging with locals to hear their stories, the players also made an impromptu entry to the business house relay at the pool.
Making a splash
As part of their relief visit to the Bega Valley, Melbourne Storm players dropped in to take part in the business house relay at Cobargo Pool on Sunday.
Club officials said it was great to have the players join in for the day with fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen even taking out the Noa Jessop Memorial splash for cash.
Brett and Anne Jessop were on hand to present the annual award and said it was fitting as Noa had been a mad supporter of the Melbourne Storm.
Former Bega boy Dale Finucane finished third in a close race.
Faith Matthews was the female winner, while the Allen family team dubbed the Rockstar Cowboys won the overall relay.
Runners-up were the Stanborough family named the Wombat Warriors and third went to Mumbulla.
"An especially huge thank you must go out to our special guests, Dale Finucane and the Melbourne Storm boys who swam in the relay," the club shared on social media.