By Flick Ruby

Betto is a big bear of a man and he’s a hugger from the first time you meet him. Soon after he hugged everyone at our Tilba Teapot table, the plumbing, gas and gutters at my place had been sorted by him and his sons, Alby and Rusty, or his crew James, Rohan and Leon.

Hailing originally from around Manly in Sydney, Betto soon decided the city life wasn’t for him. He hit the road, trying out Alice Springs, Perth, Geelong, Townsville, Palm Island, Fitzroy Crossing and working on several Aboriginal communities over the years. After working for builders Jimmy and Emmanuel Drakos from Bermagui, Betto decided to come and check out the place. ‘I ended up going for a surf out at Camel Rock, hit the Bermi pub, camped at Mystery Bay and just fell in love.

‘Then I found myself back in Perth for a second time, living with this beautiful man named Varchi, a retired drag queen from Sydney. I was really unsettled and he said, “You just don’t seem happy. Where do you want to be?” Someone had to ask me that question and that was it. I knew I wanted to live around Bermagui and I believe I’m meant to be here.

‘The mountain, the first time I stopped at Pam’s Store, and the vibe at the Tilba pub were all great, but it was the down-to-earth people that drew me here and kept bringing me back. A spade’s a spade. There’s no bullshit. I was also very hungry when I first came down because I had a couple of young kids to feed, and they were big boppers like myself. I seemed to take on the jobs no one wanted. I answered my phone on Christmas Day, Easter, nothing was off limits. I was keen to have a go and just provide for the kids.’

Then the fires showed Betto just how much local tradies were needed. ‘There was so much fire prep as it was coming, and then so many properties needed patch-up fixes to get water back on. I saw so many shell-shocked people. We ended up getting the contract to do maintenance on the Mindaroo pods in south-east New South Wales and dealt with a lot of people who were going through PTSD. As a survivor of domestic violence and leading a pretty wild life, I was suffering from PTSD myself and could relate. I hugged a lot of people and just held them as they let out their emotions. So many brave people. So many different stories. Turning up for months and years after has meant I have some strong rapport and relationships, and I still see or work for those people around the community. It’s a deep connection.’

Betteridge and Sons Plumbing also has a long-term relationship with the Aboriginal community at Umbarra. ‘I’m very, very lucky to be a guest of the community at Wallaga Lake. My connection with the original Australians started as a young fella when I grew up in Manly next door to an Aboriginal family, the McClures. Ever since I’ve just warmed to Indigenous people, their free spirit and how they stay young. I’ve worked at Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley, up in the Tanami Desert, Haasts Bluff, Yuendumu, Hermannsburg and Palm Island. When I came down here 18 or 20 years ago, I was really lucky to meet old Max Harrison and the CEO. At the time they needed a plumber, and I’ve been there ever since. I love the people and especially the connection with the elders, having a cup of tea and listening, whether it’s about the area, the families, or the stolen generations. There’s just so much we don’t know about this country.’

Photo credit: Flick Ruby.