Standing outside what was her place of employment for the past 17 years, Pam Marsh is hopeful of returning to work at the Windsor Farm Foods Cowra cannery.
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As the reality sinks in that the last Australian owned cannery was placed into voluntary administration on Tuesday to the shock of the 70 plus workforce, Ms Marsh is calling on Dick Smith to help out in the hope that he can convince Aldi to purchase the cannery, as he alluded to in a radio interview on Wednesday.
"That's what I'm hoping for and from all indications that could happen," Ms Marsh said.
"I'm hopeful."
Administrators Grant Thornton are now in the process of reviewing the business in an effort to find a buyer and realise assets for creditors.
In the meantime, Ms Marsh, who played a starring role in Mr Smith's controversial Australia Day television advertisement which was filmed at the Cowra cannery, can now only join her former co-workers in looking to the first creditors meeting at the bowling club next Tuesday to provide them with some explanation as to why the company of one of the town's largest employers shut up shop without warning.
"We knew the company had financial troubles," Ms Marsh said.
"But the staff were led to believe that funds were made available from one of the company's major shareholders last year to keep production going."
None of the staff could have envisaged that when three unknown men turned up in flashy cars to the factory on Tuesday that their arrival would signal the end of their careers at the cannery.
Shortly after the mystery guests arrived, management told workers to stop production early and summoned employees to the staff lunchroom for a meeting at 2:30pm.
"One of these men told us that our jobs were being made redundant."
Staff were told to pack up their belongings and leave.
"It was a shock to go," Ms Marsh, who worked in administration, said.
"Everyone was upset of course - there were lots of crying, hugging, shaking hands and farewells.
"When you work with people for years you become family.
"I thought: 'This is a special moment. This is the last time this group of people will be together'."
What adds to workers’ disbelief at this week's events is that they have been left in the dark about their entitlements.
"Four different pamphlets were handed around and we were told about the meeting next Friday to discuss, who knows?
"Maybe we might be able to get some money back."
The Cowra Guardian understands from a number of cannery workers that it is not clear if they will be paid for turning up on Monday and Tuesday, with Windsor Farm Foods believed to be behind in super payments as far back as three months.
Despite Windsor Farm Foods' sudden collapse, Ms Marsh is adamant that the Cowra cannery cannot be allowed to close permanently.
"I'm looking forward to being able to drive my car back in the driveway and find my parking sport and getting back to work.
"Everyone at the cannery was passionate about what they did.
"What has happened is just horrible."
