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July 20, 2015 at 12.25PM marked the end of an era for Australian Paper’s Bomaderry Mill, and the family of people who work there.
Those present on Monday as the machine shut down were still, sad and sullen as they watched the tapered tail of paper spinning down slowly on the final roll produced at the mill.
For most of the men and women watching, that historic moment signalled the end of not only their jobs but of a connection to something that had become a large part of their lives.
Glenn Backhouse warehouse and procurement officer worked at the mill for 18 years and like his workmates was sad about the day.
“It’s a sad day for the mill we’ve been here about 56 years and to see it come to an end is pretty sad,” he said.
“When I woke up I thought this is the last day this place is ever going to make paper, and after making paper here for so long it’s pretty sad. It’s a sad day for all of us, and the Shoalhaven as a community.
“For some blokes here, this is all they’ve ever done since school, and now that’s it.
“We’ll have some lunch and then I think a few of the blokes are going to the Bomo pub,” he said.
Production planner Jacqui Radcliffe has worked at the mill for 26 years.
She said she felt defeated.
“It’s so sad, this is it,” she said.
“We’ve dodged and avoided this for so long and that’s a credit to how everybody runs the place. “Now we have to face reality that we just can’t compete anymore.
“Seeing that last reel come off I felt defeated.
Nowra sub-branch secretary CFMEU pulp and paper division Jack Evans said it was a sad day for the workers and the community.
“This place has been an exceptional place to work at. I’ve got a lot of good mates and a lot of good memories and it’s going to be sad to see it go,” he said.
Australian Paper CEO Kunihiko Kashima said it was his “great honour to witness the final leaf of this great mill today”.
“It will remain in my memory forever.”
In his address to the staff he mentioned the mill’s excellent safety record and culture.