Local photographer maintaining high spirits following Torquay fire

A TORQUAY business owner and photographer says she’s keeping her spirits high in the wake of a fire that destroyed her business last month.

Romy Roache, the owner of Romy Photographer on Gilbert Street, was one of six business owners that awoke to their shops damaged inside the town’s arcade.

“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, one day you’re feeling positive then the next day you’re not,” Ms Roache said.

“But the hardest thing is I’ve lost nearly five years of something that I’ve worked really hard to build up during a really difficult time, not only through COVID-19 but also with how the economy is at the moment.

“I wouldn’t call it an ongoing battle, but you need to be very proactive constantly, you’re not just an artist, you need to manage everything behind the scenes to keep the business going.”

All of Ms Roache’s prints and framed photos were damaged beyond repair by either smoke or water.

To assist in the repairs and to fund new prints, the community rallied to assist Ms Roache, donating $5,794 to the business.

Ms Roache said the community’s response was overwhelming, making her extremely grateful.

“I’ve had lots of support, which is helping me with the new prints that will be out there very soon,” Ms Roache.

“This situation has also given me a bit more time to get out there and take more photos, we’ve had some beautiful swell over the past few weeks, o that’s kept me pretty occupied.

“All’s well in my world, there’s no point grieving about it anymore, the past is no one’s and the future is no one’s, so all we can do is live in the moment and recreate ourselves.

“I’ll aim to do that by doing what I love.”

No date has been given by landlord Graeme McCartney at this stage for Ms Roache to return to the business’ premises, but she is still contactable for works.

To contact Ms Roache, email [email protected] or phone her directly on 0407 327 251.