Publicans are not renowned for getting teary, but talk of the efforts of volunteer ex-military working to rebuild bushfire-devastated farmland around Willawarrin, north-west of Kempsey, and Karen Anderson does not hide her emotions.

The tiny hamlet was one of the first communities hit by the fires when the blaze swept through in November leaving houses destroyed, fences incinerated, and pastures desolate.

Since then former defence personnel have been assisting the community as part of Team Rubicon.

"It's going to leave a massive hole in our hearts. We've become very close to them. We call them our grey-shirt angels for what they have done for our community," she explained while wiping tears from her eyes.

The "grey-shirt angels" the Willawarrin publican refers to are the volunteer largely ex-defence personnel identified by the predominately grey T-shirts they wear as they head out each day to farms in the surrounding district to assist fire hit landholders.

The not-for-profit organisation was formed in the United States of America in 2010 initially responding to victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Since then it has grown aiding disaster-hit areas while helping people leaving the military to integrate into civilian life.

Giving back

For one community member, the departure had even more significance.

Willawarrin resident Terry Flynn was presented with a replacement SAS beret after the original perished in the bushfire. ( Supplied: Team Rubicon )

Terry Flynn qualified as a nurse while in the military and during the seventies was a member of the Special Air Service (SAS) squadron.

When the fire ripped through he lost his house and with it most of his and wife's belongings.

Despite attempts by Rubicon, the only thing of value which they found while sifting through the wreckage was a small box.

In it was remnants of Mr Flynn's wife's jewellery.

Gone was his SAS beret and other memorabilia.

However, with the last parade of the Rubicon team before departing, Mr Flynn was asked to join his fellow ex-service colleagues.

He was then presented with a cardboard box.

"Inside the cardboard box was a replacement SAS beret and I was made to put it on which I did tearfully and proudly. I have always been proud of being a member," he said.

Team effort

While Willarrin still has its school, community hall, general store and hotel, houses and farms in the surrounding area were badly hit.

In the five weeks since Rubicon set up camp working from an office next door to the hotel, around 100 predominately ex-army have spent time working alongside the residents.

The efforts of ex-military assisting fire ravaged Willawarrin has left its mark on people such as publican Karen Anderson. ( Supplied )

Brisbane resident and 23-year army veteran Peter Mottram has been responsible for the running of the Willawarrin team, part of the Australian branch of Rubicon which has operated for three years.

"Here in Willawarrin we've assisted in fence clearing and cutting down dangerous trees on their properties and help them get into the recovery phase of the disaster of the fire," Mr Mottram said.

"We are tipping at around 7,000 man hours on the ground which comes to around $350,0000 of labour put into the community."

The Rubicon team had been bunking down on stretchers in another room of the building next door to the pub or on the upstairs verandah of the hotel.

This does not present a major problem for the crew who have served in hot spots around the world.

"Because it's predominately a veteran-based organisation living in close quarters it is almost second nature for a lot of us," Mr Mottram said while sitting on one of the 20 or so stretcher beds.

The experience working alongside the bushfire-affected residents for many of the Rubicon members is a first.

"You can see that the knowledge that the experience they have gained while in the military and then applying it to a completely different area allows them to realise the skills acquired in the military are very valuable.

"It gives that person another sense of purpose," Mr Mottram said.

While they may have pulled out, the connection has not been severed with plans for Rubicon members to return for a number of short stays of several days to continue the work.