Next week will see the publication of a very special edition of your local newspaper.
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The Bega District News, Merimbula News Weekly and Eden Magnet are proud to share a collection of stories that tell of our region's recovery and resilience in the wake of summer's devastating bushfires.
Next week's souvenir issue of the paper will be filled with stories of hope, of support, and of communities looking out for themselves in the midst of a year many would rather forget.
Most importantly, you will meet some of the people behind the many projects taking place across the Bega Valley as we look to rebuild.
Among them is Zena Armstrong, president of the Cobargo Community Bushfire Recovery Fund.
This community-driven approach to recovery is absolutely essential according to Ms Armstrong, whose fund has raised about $700,000 in donations and provided about $100,000 of that to 16 projects so far.
"The community has the best understanding of what the needs are, where the needs are," she said.
"There's nothing worse than having a bunch of people parachuting in from the outside trying to tell us what we need.
"I also think there's a lot to be gained from a community that's seizing the moment and not just seeing it as a terrible tragedy, but also an opportunity."
You will also meet Clare McMahon, who manages cattle on her third-generation Kiah property alone.
While finding her own feet once more, she has also been assisting with the community-led planning behind a rebuild of the local church and village hall.
"It's eight months on and I am only just getting it back together now," Ms McMahon said.
"Working on getting the church ground and hall planned has been a good project to work on while in recovery. I think about others, what would I do?"
Next week's special edition is certainly not the end of the story - nor will it be the whole story.
This region's recovery and rebuilding, as well as our trauma and grief, will continue for years to come and there's far more to it than these pages can contain.
What we hope though is that seeing a snapshot of the amazing projects underway in our hard-hit towns and villages - from Cobargo to Wonboyn and all points between - and the incredible humans behind them, will offer our readers and the community some comfort, perhaps a smile or two, and the knowledge that you are not alone, you are not forgotten.
Don't miss next week's special edition - published in Merimbula News Weekly, September 23; Eden Magnet September 24; and Bega District News September 25.
It will also be available online from Friday September 25 as a digital print edition for BDN subscribers.