Long-term Kiah resident Jenny Robb warmly remembers a period in the mid to late 1980s when Japanese staff of the chipmill, then-owned by Nippon Paper, were living in the Eden community with their families.
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Earlier this month it was announced 22 former Nippon Paper employees donated a total of $6500 to the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast Disaster Relief Fund.
These former employees still have strong ties to the Allied Natural Wood Exports (ANWE) wood chipmill in Eden and showed their support by donating money following the recent devastating bushfires.
Before it changed hands in 2015, Japanese company Nippon Paper owned the mill for over 30 years and many staff lived in the Eden area.
Ms Robb was raising her young children when she met the Shimmyo family and developed a connection, having done a 12-month Rotary scholarship exchange a few years earlier and speaking fairly fluent Japanese herself.
"There were three daughters and their mum, I used to help the mother out with language, as she learned text book English but struggled with Aussie colloquialisms," Ms Robb said.
"She would keep notes and check words with me, we would often have a laugh about the differences in our languages as Japanese is more cut and dried than English.
"I helped them participate in social activities like tennis and the family immersed themselves so well in the community - the eldest daughter became the dux at the high school," Ms Robb said.
ANWE CEO Paul Heubner said it had come to the mill's attention the money was donated by the Japanese to assist the community rebuild.
"It was very gratifying to learn that these wonderful people who worked with the mill's former owner still have a connection with Eden," Mr Heubner said.
"The older among us will remember that during the many years Nippon Paper owned the mill, their staff integrated with and supported the local community.
"It's fantastic to hear that they are still supporting us in a time of great need, and we are humbled by their generosity," Mr Heubner said.
Ms Robb still owns a beautiful carved wooden bear from Hokkaido gifted to her by the Shimmyo family, another of which was given to Eden Fishermen's Club.
"I'm not at all surprised to hear about the donation as I can imagine they would've been very upset and worried about the area throughout the fires - as a race I have never met people who are so giving and eager to please," Ms Robb said.
"I have very fond memories, they were particularly beautiful people - I would love to be able to connect with the Shimmyo family again if anyone is able to help me find them."
The fund was established by the Bega Valley Shire Council in partnership with the charity organisation in 2019 to assist those affected by natural disaster.
"The sense of community is loud and clear in this act of generosity by a group of former Nippon Paper employees, whose time here obviously meant a lot to them," Bega Valley Mayor Kristy McBain said.
