WHILE they continue to come to terms with the events of the fire that engulfed their home and belongings on July 5, Nathan and Tracy Theophanous also struggle to put into words how grateful and appreciative they are for the help and community support they have received.
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“It’s overwhelming, we are so, so grateful,” Tracy said.
In the immediate aftermath of the blaze, and after a visit to the site that afternoon, the family left town to visit Tracy’s parents in Dunbogan, arriving back on Monday night ready for their son to start back at St Joseph’s Primary School on Tuesday.
They are staying with Nathan’s parents now until their insurance comes through and they can buy a home of their own.
“We’re not rushing anything,” said Tracy. “We’re just taking each day as it comes.”
She said it’s really only now that the fog has started to lift.
“It’s the first few days without tears,” she said.
The Taree community swung into action after news of the fire spread.
St Joseph’s Primary School, where Zaiden is in year two, hosted a collection drive where people donated a huge range of goods for the family.
This was heavily supported by Bright Beginnings (where Jayda attends) and Manning Gardens Public School (where Tracy works).
The family gives special thanks to Miranda Bourke and Tracey Saunders from St Josephs and the hard work of Jane and Adam Sharp, Rebecca Sommerville and Christine Sommerville (the owner of the house).
Another person anonymously donated a voucher to Workwise for them to organise new school uniforms for Zaiden.
“They wanted to be anonymous. That’s just pure generosity,” said Tracy.
They’ve received shoes from Manning Shoe Store, a near-new fridge from Retravision, goods from Mal’s Toy Shop, and there’s been support from Guardian Pharmacy, the Lions Club, the Leagues Club and Stacks.
There are so many people to thank that they say they don’t know where to start.
There are the firefighters who came to their home, the groups, businesses and individuals who have been so generous donating to them.
Then there’s the generosity of the young people.
In just one example, one of the young boys from the Taree Panthers (Nathan is a coach of the under eights) has given Zaiden his Playstation and about 20 games.
Other people have donated hundreds of dollars worth of make-up, medicine for the children, clothes, towels, containers, washing baskets and tubs, television units and televisions.
This amazing support means there’s a lot less that they will have to replace.
“We’re just so appreciative,” said Tracy.
“We don’t know where to start thanking people,” said Nathan. “This is an unbelievable community.
“Out of something so traumatic and horrific there have been so many positive things happen within the community. There’s been a ripple effect.”
The family would like to organise personalised thank you cards.
“We want to send them out to everyone so they know we appreciate it. I feel we can’t do enough,” said Nathan.
It’s going to take time for the family to rebuild their lives and they say it’s the sentimental and irreplaceable items that cannot be replaced that hurts the most.
In particular is their keepsakes in memory of their first born child who they lost, the antique cot and rocking chair, family photos and the kindergarten books of Zaiden’s that Tracy had kept.
“I’m a bit of a hoarder,” she said.
Friends have rallied to do what they can and have collected photos of the children for them.
At the end of the day though, they realise how lucky they are.
“We do feel blessed that we’ve got our lives, and the love and support from family and friends,” said Nathan.