BUSHFIRE RESILIENCE

BERNARD AND LEAH HUNT, BULL HILL ROAD, TINONEE.

Some great business news in the aftermath of the bushfires....

What do you do when your wholesale nursery - established for more than 30 years and supplying around 80 Bunnings stores across the state - is pretty much burnt to the ground in the Hillville fire? And one of your 12 employees asks the question on everyone's lips; "so I guess we're finished are we?"

Bernard and Leah Hunt, of Bull Hill Road, Tinonee, had that dilemma in early November. The worst drought they'd ever experienced, virtually no water left, ruined plumbing, burnt tanks, sheds and machinery and pretty much no fences to keep the wildlife out or tools to start repairing the damage.

If you're a salt-of-the-earth couple like Bernard and Leah, you rally yourselves, your family and friends, local politicans and generous friends in businesses and rebuild your business!

This week the determined couple took delivery of an $80,000 potting machine, courtesy of the Federal Government, and kept on filling orders with full dams, new equipment and a spark in their eyes.

"We've had a huge amount of help - from the top, down - because it's not just about making a dollar, but supporting our employees and their families. Everyone in the community benefits when a business stays afloat."

Call the NSW Hotline 13 77 88 if you want to know more about what's available for small businesses.