While life is still pretty raw for patrons and staff of Lake Conjola Bowling Club, they have 10,000 more reasons to smile.
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On Wednesday, Toongabbie Sports Club CEO Andrew Lauridsen visited the fire-affected area and donated $10,000 to the Lake Conjola Bowling Club.
Mr Lauridsen's gesture, on behalf of his club, was to remind Lake Conjola and Conjola Park residents that some city-slickers had not forgotten the destruction caused by the New Year's Eve fire.
"While Toongabbie Sports is far from a big club in the Sydney Metro area, we recognised the fires would have a devastating impact on each and every community affected," he said.
"While Australians all chipped in and donated hundreds of millions of dollars to various charities, we recognised that none of these charities were going to support a small business let alone a small bowling club like ours.
"So when Clubs NSW asked for clubs to look after each other that is exactly what we did and with Conjola being one of the hardest hit communities we wanted to ensure the only club in the town survived and after talking to Shelley, it was clearly understood the evacuation and closure of the town would hit all the local businesses hard as well as the employee's in the club.
Toongabbie Sports Club's board voted to donate to Lake Conjola Bowling Club to assist its recovery, while its members continue to raise funds for another club initiative that will recognise various volunteers who have worked tirelessly over the past few months.
Lake Conjola Bowling Club secretary manager Shelley Payten praised both Toongabbie Sports Club, Campsie RSL and other local clubs for their support during trying times.
Ms Payten said the $10,000 donation will go towards replacing shade cloths and sails in outdoor areas.
"We're very appreciative of Toongabbie Sports Club's donation," she said.
Since the road has reopened to Lake Conjola, Ms Payten said people from the surrounding Milton-Ulladulla district and Sussex Inlet have been visiting various businesses offering their support.
"People have been very generous."
Toongabbie Sports Club also donated a prize for the upcoming Family Bushfire Fundraising Day to be held on March 21 at Lake Conjola Bowling Club. All funds will be going to Mayors Bushfire Relief Fund.