The Boomerang Meeting Place was a relief centre for many Mogo residents immediately after the fires, but some residents are still recovering from losing their homes.
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Uncle Tom Butler and his wife, who are both Indigenous Elders, were tenants at a home behind the centre, and Mr Butler ran a disability and cultural workshop from his garage.
Mr Butler lost his work shed and all his tools, equipment and materials to the flames.
After he escaped the fires, he stayed at his son's home at Moruya, and was now staying in temporary accommodation at Mogo.
Uncle Tom Slockee, chairperson of SEARMS Aboriginal Corporation, a housing and tenancy management service for Indigenous people, hoped the community could help rebuild what was lost.
"The bushfires destroyed one of Boomerang houses and burnt out the contents of the shipping containers," Mr Slockee said. "We also lost the bush tucker trees and fruit trees we had planted. The Boomerang Meeting Place Centre was saved and was utilised as a gathering place for community and distribution center in response to bushfires. The centre needs repairs and maintenance."
SEARMS CEO Kim Sinclair said the rebuild would cost about $700,000, with about $175,000 needed just for the glass, due to new fire rating conditions.
"The insurance return is estimated at $350,000," Mr Slockee said. "We may need to redesign to reduce the costs. The resign will include accessibility features.
"Hopefully we can raise up to $350,000 in grants and donations. The Boomerang Meeting Place is a charitable organisation and donations are tax deductible."
Ms Sinclair said an Indigenous voice was missing in evacuation and recovery systems.
"The systems in place for evacuation and recovery had no Aboriginal voice," Ms Sinclair said. "Boomerang (Meeting Place) became a default recovery centre, for not only the Aboriginal people in the area, but everyone else in the area."
To donate, contact tom.slockee@gmail.com
