Tuesday morning at 4am, August 20th, we received the call that there was a fire consuming our little shops on the main street of Tyalgum. Orpheum Bookshop, Osiris Jewellery and Paddington of Tyalgum were burnt to cinders as we stood and watched. It was a heartbreak for the village and many of our friends who travel from far and wide to visit us. The buildings were not insured and only one of the business owners was insured for stock. It was a shock that continues to rock us to our core.
Immediately, these three businesses were offered sanctuary in the marketta area in the back garden of Flatteries Cafe, a few doors up the street. Spaces are being renovated to house these folk, as you would expect in such a community as Tyalgum. The jeweller was able to recover many of her tools, the bookshop has been given huge donations of books and Paddington has set up shop within the heritage bank building next door. A Go Fund Me donation page has raised over $10,000 already and many have offered services for free to get these businesses back on their feet. it has been extraordinary and wonderful to feel.
I spent the next week in the shop, perched at the back of the wreckage, feeling pretty devastated by this event. The big thing now is the asbestos that was burnt, as part of the ceilings in these heritage buildings, is highly toxic to dispose of. My shop, Somewhere in the Sunshine, made a narrow escape from the flames, but has been closed now due to proximity of the wreckage. There needs to be specialist asbestos removalists involved which is taking some time to organise, so, as my shop is on the same site, the Council Health and Safety team have asked that the public not visit my shop there. It may only be a couple of months...the shock waves continue...another sleepless night...
My dearest friends at Flutterbies Cafe, as soon as they heard the news, straight away invited me to move into their back garden area as well to set up shop! It's a gorgeous spot and they have made me so very welcome. Light at the end of the tunnel! I have been transferring my paints and furniture on a daily basis this week. It's work in progress and I am thrilled to be a part of it.
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