Devastating news for Tongala today with Nestlé announcing it will close its local factory over the next 18 months, costing 106 local jobs.
It will be an extremely difficult time for workers and their families as they face the reality of the next 18 months.
In a small, close-knit community like Tongala, the loss of so many jobs will have far-reaching consequences including on local sporting clubs, spending in small businesses and enrolments at the local school.
This comes on top of industry pressures that have forced dairy farmers to leave the land and the socio-economic consequences of water leaving the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District.
The dairy crisis has hit many people in our region hard and the loss of 106 jobs in a town like Tongala will test the resilience of the community.