Only a few days into 2020, Border Mail reporters believed the year's biggest story had already occurred.
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The summer bushfires in the Upper Murray brought disaster in their wake, consuming homes, destroying stock and, most tragically, ending the life of NSW Rural Fire Service volunteer Samuel McPaul.
It was a torrid time for the Border and North East, with even communities untouched by flames suffering through the air pollution and knock-on effects to business and tourism.
Surely, we thought, nothing more significant than this could occur during the rest of the year.
We were wrong.
The global coronavirus pandemic with its rolling waves of restrictions, cancellations, shutdowns, border closures and, so sadly, growing case numbers and deaths turned the fire crisis into something from the past.
But not for those most affected.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Mrs Middleton described some scenes as like Armageddon while seeing their stock being euthanased felt as though they were watching their own funeral.
And the trauma doesn't cease once the flames are extinguished, with many of the affected landholders still battling to regain control of their scarred properties.
Little wonder the couple admitted to being "weary in our souls".
The Middletons' story reminds us all the hard work doesn't stop when the wider world looks away.
In coming weeks, The Border Mail will feature more articles on fire recovery and continue to highlight the challenges.
It will also be a chance to recognise those groups and individuals still plugging away as best they can to make life a little easier.
Organisations such as BlazeAid and Fencing For Fires may have been hampered by COVID-19 limitations, but not defeated and their volunteers remain committed.
As fire-affected communities try to rebuild, we have a collective responsibility to stay aware of their plight, look out for opportunities to help and, above all, make sure they know they are not alone.