A family was celebrating much more than business success when they strung up balloons and decorations and gave away cup cakes and sausage rolls at their Caringbah South bakery on Sunday.
Cambodian refugees Rith Kang and Thera Theng, and their children Emma and Nicholas, thanked the local community for their warm acceptance and support during 20 years of operating the Family Bakehouse in Port Hacking Road South.
The parents suffered enormously under the brutal Pol Pot regime, losing their fathers and other family members and enduring starvation and other harsh conditions.
They say Sutherland Shire provided a new beginning and was a wonderful area to raise a family.
Emma is studying for a pharmacy degree at the University of Sydney and Nicholas is in Year 11 at Woolooware High School.
"We are just so grateful," Ms Theng said. "After what we experienced in Cambodia, our life is more than wonderful.
"Without the friendships and support of the local community, we wouldn't have what we have."
Long-time customer Alison Crowe, who alerted the Leader to the celebration without the family knowing, said, "They are truly beautiful people".
"They have moved on from their terrible life in Cambodia and are part of the the Australian community," she said.
"They embody what a fantastic place Australia, and the shire, is and true multiculturalism.
"They have embraced their local community and donate generously to every cause that comes a knocking."
The couple came to Australia separately.
Ms Theng was evacuated to Thailand after the Vietnamese stormed Cambodia and eventually made it to Australia with her surviving family.
Mr Kang was settled with his surviving family members in Brisbane.
They married and settled in Fairfield, working many jobs, Ms Theng in childcare and Mr Kang in travel and carpentry before getting work in a bakery.
They purchased the Caringbah South business in 1999 and, for several years, travelled from Fairfield each day before settling in the shire.
Nicholas proudly tells everyone he is the only true "shiree" as he was born in Sutherland Hospital.
