When Matt Dwyer, a panel beater, and his wife, Tracy, bought their South Lismore business in 2006 they were told the 40-year-old workshop had only ever had about 15cm of flood water across the concrete floor.
Over the next decade the couple repaired thousands of cars, employed local people, trained apprentices, sponsored the local footy team and the go-kart club and raised three children. They also spent what they estimate as $1m on equipment.
