Casual employee Sam Clark, 49, of Wodonga, said the company had informed him and other casual staff not to expect any work while Paragon Printing was under administration.

He said the company employed about 25 casual staff.

The Border Mail attempted to confirm the number yesterday but the company did not return calls.

“We received a call saying there wouldn’t be work for the foreseeable future while the company was in administration,” Mr Clark, who lives with his teenage son, said.

Mr Clark, who must meet fortnightly mortgage repayments of $600, was yesterday continuing his search for another job.

He said he had already been among 55 unsuccessful applicants for his first attempt at a new job, as a console operator at a petrol station.

“It looks like it’s going to be tough,” Mr Clark said.

“But there were a lot of other casuals who will be doing it tougher, some with young families, others who have been there for 10 years or more and are in their 50s or 60s.”

Mr Clark said the employees had been devastated by the company’s woes.

“We were like a big family there,” he said.

“Everyone got along well and there was always a lot of work.

“I’ve been working there for two years and usually it was five days a week.”

He said he was not confident that Paragon Printing, which has debts totalling about $3 million, would be getting back on track.

“I think next Tuesday’s meeting with the creditors will reveal an even worse scenario,” Mr Clark said.

“It’s a shame because it was a fantastic group to work with.”

Mr Clark, whose ex-wife and two daughters live in Queensland, said he might be forced to sell his home if he couldn’t find a job on the Border.

“It could come to that,” he said.

“Centrelink pays $490 a fortnight, which is not much use when you’ve got a mortgage of $600.

“At least I might be able to move closer to my daughters.”