The standard of living for Paul Miscamble has improved dramatically since a housing pod arrived at his Bobin property.
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His home, sheds, stables and equipment were destroyed by a bushfire that tore through the Upper Manning in November 2019.
But now more than six months on, he has welcomed the temporary accommodation while the rebuild begins.
The self-contained pod includes a toilet, shower, a small kitchen with a two-burner stove, fridge and washing machine.
A table, chairs, water tank and awning complete the set-up.
"We've gone from standing out in freezing cold weather underneath a canvas shower to now having a shower you can stand in and feel normal which has been fantastic," Mr Miscamble explained.
"These things are luxury compared to what we're used to.
"For the last six months we haven't had anything except for boiling kettles.
"To be able to wash up in a sink where we can turn a tap on and get cold or hot water- that's where you understand appreciation.
"When you haven't got a fire place to heat yourself, this is awesome."
It was made possible by a partnership between the NSW government and the Minderoo Foundation.
Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead was thrilled Mr Miscamble received a pod.
He said others will be delivered to Bulga Forest, Mooral Creek and Rainbow Flat properties to allow bushfire victims to stay home while they rebuild.
"A lot of people have to stay on their property and farms and a rebuild can take a year or two years," Mr Bromhead said.
"They can't go into the hotel/motel accommodation, they need to stay there.
"People have got stock and animals they need to attend to, fences that need to be rebuilt.
"I'm really pleased to see that families don't need to struggle, there is help there."
With no mobile phone or television reception at his property, Mr Miscamble was initially unaware the pods were being produced.
He said the ongoing COVID-19 situation left bushfire victims 'slightly in limbo'.
"As emergency situations move, focus has to be shifted and unfortunately focus had to be shifted from the bushfire situation," Mr Miscamble said.
"I can't say it shifted completely, we had great people in the Taree and Port Macquarie areas with disaster relief and Service NSW were giving us updates."
Mr Bromhead encouraged any bushfire victims who feel they haven't received help to register with Service NSW or contact his office.
We've gone from standing out in freezing cold weather underneath a canvas shower to now having a shower you can stand in and feel normal which has been fantastic.
- Paul Miscamble, Bobin resident
"We'll do everything we can to help you," Mr Bromhead said.
Choking back tears, Mr Miscamble described the trauma and realisation of losing his home as well as "a heart-felt joy that you can't explain".
"It's been one hell of a ride," he said.
"The way the Bobin community has come together has just been astronomical."
In the coming days, the Times will go into more depth on Mr Miscamble's journey through the bushfire crisis.
