Thirty-plus people took up the offer of connecting with potential employers, employment service providers and other support services after members of the Wallangarra/Jennings community and others who travelled from Stanthorpe and Tenterfield were made reduntant with the closure of the Wallangarra Meatworks. Stallholders included Best Employment, TAFE Qld South West, Free Range Kids, Challenge Employment &Training, Neato Employment Service, Training & Skills, the Federal Department of Human Services, Community Development Services, the Salvation Army, the Qld Department of State Development, Queensland Health, Toastmasters, Centrelink and local government representatives from both sides of the state border. 

Stallholders said they spoke to a general cross-section of job seekers, including retrenched meatworkers. Carol Dearden of Best Employment said those retrenched may now be starting to ‘feel the pinch’ as any redundancy payments became depleted, and that it was important to take action now.

“It may be October or November before they’re eligible for unemployment payments, but they need to contact Centrelink now,” she said.

“Get online and submit an ‘intention to claim’. Once you connect with Centrelink, they’ll set up an appointment with an employment service provider.”