THE steady flow of elite sporting stars coming to visit people in bushfire ravaged areas of the Shoalhaven and South Coast continues to kick goals.
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The visits from elite sports stars kicked off when players from the Greater Sydney Giants came down to the Ulladulla area on Sunday to help out where they could and also to make many people, as possible, smile.
The Giants' visit was followed by the St George Illawarra Dragons who brought down a big contingent of players to the region this week.
The Dragon held a big community event in Batemans Bay on Tuesday (January 28) and today (Wednesday, January 29) had several engagements in the Ulladulla area.
Several Dragons also visited the devastated Conjola Park and Lake Conjola townships.
Rookie Dragons halfback Jayden Sullivan spoke to NRL.com about the visit.
"Coming down here as a kid and then coming here now and seeing all the houses burned down is a real shock," Sullivan said.
"My family was here over the Christmas break when the fires were happening, all of my younger brothers were here and they had to evacuate to the beach. The whole area was on fire - both sides [of Lake Conjola Entrance Road] and there was nowhere else to go."
The Saints also conducted several school visits in Ulladulla and Milton.
The Cronulla Sharks, while the Dragons headed down the coast, went inland to Kangaroo Valley.
The Sharks today (Wednesday, January 29) assisted with bushfire clean up efforts.
"Thanks for your hard work, today team. You were all looking pretty tired and dirty at lunch," was one of the positive comments from the Sharks' visit.
The Sharks, after their work, took part in a meet and greet event.
Next to arrive will be the Sydney City Roosters, including fan favourite Brett Morris.
The Roosters will also be helping with the clean up on Saturday and will send down 12 players and staff down on Saturday afternoon in the Ulladulla area to show their support for the region.
We have saved the best until last.
The visits will peak on Saturday, February 1 when last year's State of Origin winning NSW squad heads to Batemans Bay to conduct a clinic.
The clinic, for 300 children, hopes to lift spirits, will be open to children aged 5-14 and will run from 11 am to 1 pm at Mackay Park, Batemans Bay.
Attendance is by registration only and go to www.nswrl.com.au/ for details but the spots are filling up quickly.
Meanwhile, Giants' players Jacob Hopper, Adam Kennedy and Sam Reid, during their mini-break from pre-season training, visited the region on Australia Day.
Regional Manager of AFL South Coast, Matthew Graham, commended the three Giants on their efforts.
"They contacted me to offer assistance wherever they could - it was amazingly generous," Mr Graham said.