Lynne Mowbray|

The Governor General David Hurley and his wife visited the Clarence Valley on Saturday to visit the village of Nymboida and spend time talking with the victims of the fire, which devastated their community.

Before heading out to Nymboida the Governor General visited the Fire Control Centre at Ulmarra, to get a briefing on the fires and to thank everyone involved in the fire fighting effort.

NSW RFS District Manager Superintendent Stuart Watts travelled with the Governor General (and his wife) to Nymboida and said that they were in shock to see how much fire damage has occurred and the amount of loss in the Clarence Valley.

The Governor General arrived at the Nymboida Canoe Centre around lunch time and spoke with Gray Stride – director of Nymboida Camping and Canoeing and chief co-ordinator at the recovery hub, before speaking one on one with many of those who had lost their homes in the fire.

Time appeared to be of no concern to the Governor General as he sat listening to the concerns and stories of those who had lost their homes and property.

Before leaving to view first hand some of the devastation around the village, he addressed the community briefly.

“Thank you for inviting us into your community today,” the Governor General said.

“You’ve got a lot of hard work ahead and after to talking to some of you, you’re not looking at having everything, you just want to have a fair go.

“Just stick together and you’ll get through,” he said.