The 131 who kept their jobs know there is no guarantee they will have more than eight weeks’ work.

The 208 made instantly redundant know they won’t get a cent from their employer and must go to Centrelink and other government funds, and perhaps St Vincent’s and the Salvation Army.

As they gathered to hear their fate, workers had to pass nine Centrelink staff led by local manager Amanda McDonald with a table full of daunting forms and literature about how to get cash.

Then they sat through speeches by receiver Stephen Longley and union officers Dave Smith and Paul Bastian and finally queued up at a pay office to be given individual envelopes.

In one set was the “employment separation certificate” that meant redundancy, and in the other a letter inviting them to return on March 9.

It is believed a “reasonable swap” of positions would be considered if someone wanted to forego his or her job.

That’s not impossible as 23 had already told Mr Longley they would take voluntary redundancy.

Ian Beyer was one of the first to emerge with a request to stay on, but expressed regret that others weren’t so lucky.

Jorge Ekantaka lost his job after 18 years.

“It’s bad, but we had no control over it,” Mr Ekantaka said.

Lorraine Kennedy and husband David both lost their jobs after 13 years but were relieved their son, Andrew, will keep the job he has had for eight years.

Michael O’Bryan, 31, a married man with two children, lost his job one day short of 13 years working at the factory.

A quality control worker, he “was kind of expecting it” but will take the opportunity to study at TAFE.

Vicki Sheather, 58, of Culcairn, kept her job but her husband lost his after 30 years.

Des Ward, 49, will stay on at the factory and hopes to see it bought by a company that will keep it going for the long-term.

Mr Ward said the difference between what he should be paid by the company if made redundant and what he might have got under the Government scheme was $110,000.

He will mark 30 years at the factory on March 5.

Another 30-year veteran, Peter Reyonlds, is without a job and posted his forms for Government assistance last night.

“I think it will be mid-March before we receive anything,” he said.