Sunny Suzuki works tirelessly in her small sushi café in Sussex Inlet with her master Japanese chef husband Kaiki.
Their business, Island Sushi, has recently re-opened for takeaway at the local surf club after the coronavirus lockdown.
“It's been so busy actually we are dumbfounded, because of the bushfires and the COVID-19,” the 52-year-old tells SBS News.
“I thought people would not come out. But it’s been non-stop.”
Lunch service at Island Sushi in Sussex Inlet. Source: SBS
The business maintains social distancing and Sunny serves poke bowls and ramen through a plastic screen. The dining area remains closed.
“I read about this business and wanted to support it,” says customer Kate Obermeyer who is waiting in line to order.
“We’ve come all the way from Sydney [220 kilometres away].”
It’s the same story among many of those waiting for lunch.
“After the bushfires and coronavirus we are doing all we can to help,” tourist Dana Schindler says.
That community spirit is helping this region overcome a horrific start to 2020 after the ‘Black Summer’ fires closed highways and burned vast areas of forest, destroying dozens of homes.
Australia's 'Black Summer' fires caused widespread destruction on the NSW South Coast. Source: SBS
Noel and Trish Butler are gradually replanting their bushfood forest near Milton with support from a local volunteer organisation called Treading Lightly.
Fires destroyed the couple's home, workshop and Indigenous cultural centre along with dozens of ancient artefacts and handmade sculptures. Many items are irreplaceable.
Noel is a Budawang Elder from the Yuin Nation on the NSW South Coast. He is a multi-awarded sculptor specialising in traditional wood carving, engraving and wood burning patterns.
The couple applied and have been approved for state and federal government grants to get back up and running and their extended family turned to crowdfunding to raise extra money for the rebuild.
Trish and Noel Butler are rebuilding their property near Milton after fire devastated the valley. Source: SBS
With losses estimated at $500,000, and no insurance, the couple has lived rent-free for the past seven months in a holiday rental at Mollymook, thanks to the kindness of others.
“Oh it’s been fantastic to be able to be in this beautiful beach home after our loss,” Trish says, standing on the deck overlooking Narrawallee Beach.
A neighbour liaised with the property’s Sydney based owners to organise a temporary home for the couple.
“Most of our street is holiday homes and I had keys to all the houses in our block,” Mollymook resident Ollie T. Cool says.
It’s the same story in Malua Bay, where 60 houses burned and many owners are still struggling.
Malua Bay east estate agent Melissa Franzen says, despite a boost in visitor bookings, many locals left homeless by the fires are still living in holiday accommodation.
“I was so moved that so many holiday rental owners said ‘don’t charge anything for three weeks, or three months or 12 months, whatever they need’,” she says.
Malua Bay estate agent Melissa Franzen. Source: Supplied
“Now is a really tough time here,” adds Melissa’s mother-in-law Carlene Franzen, also from South Coast Property Specialists.
“People who lost their homes are coming in and there are constant tears from so much loss.
“When I inspect properties where people’s homes once stood, and there’s now a vacant block of land, it’s just so sad.
“Standing with people in what is left of their lives … the tears are really flowing.”
The July school holidays delivered tourists in their thousands, bringing a much needed financial boost to towns including Mollymook and Batemans Bay.
But not everyone welcomes the extra visitors.
Sunset over the popular tourist town of Bateman's bay, on the NSW South Coast. Source: SBS
Batemans Bay remains partially shut down after a cluster of coronavirus cases last week and senior NSW minister Andrew Constance has urged visitors to stay away from the South Coast until the latest outbreak is resolved.
Intensive testing was carried out as investigators tried to find the source of the infections.
It's business as usual at Island Sushi, almost 100 kilometres north. Customers are keen to support the Suzukis, who are known for performing blues and jazz at local venues as well as their food.
Kaiki and Sunny Suzuki play with a local band called the Ravens. Source: SBS
“Word of mouth is probably the best advertisement - if you come try it then bring your friends over. And that's what we do,” Sunny says.
The daughter of an American mother and a Japanese father, Sunny was born in Hiroshima and migrated to Sydney as a child with her family.
The couple met in 2002 and later opened Jazushi in Sydney’s Surry Hills to celebrate their musical and culinary passions.
After stints in the US and Japan, they returned to Sydney and moved further south.
“When we opened here in April 2019 many people said ‘oh you guys won’t make it there, it’s in the bush in the middle of nowhere’,” Sunny says.
“But the support down here is amazing.”
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If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
