JUDY and Peter Fowler were devastated as they surveyed the flood damage to the business they'd only purchased about a year ago, the Jacaranda Estate Winery at Wingham.
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"We were thinking about giving up,'' Judy recalls.
"Peter and I bought the vineyard last September. We both have our L plates on when it comes to the business.''
However, when there's hardship in Wingham, help is close at hand.
Peter runs another business in town and he is one of the sponsors of the Wingham Tigers Rugby League Club. He happened to mention the winery's misfortune to a Wingham official.
"The club put out a call on Facebook to volunteers,'' Judy said.
"We can't thank the club enough
- Judy Fowler
And soon enough 12 burley footballers were at the winery repairing the damage.
Now the Fowlers are now determined to keep the business operating.
"Luckily we did an early harvest and got the grapes off before this terrible flood. Thanks to the help of these guys we should be able to produce again next year. We intend to open our new cellar door early next year,'' Judy said
Players and officials who heeded the call included Mitch Collins, Tyler Atkins, Nick Beacham, Rod Blanch, Troy Atkins, Nash Atkins, Brendan Butler Jason Hardy and Stephen Blanch. "We can't thank the club enough,'' Judy added.
