Setting Up for the Future: Mark’s Story
For more than 16 years, Mark’s working life revolved around the forest. He spent much of that time operating heavy machinery, including skidders, which are used to drag harvested trees from the bush to the landing.
“It was the best job I’ve ever had,” he said. “The mateship, being out in the bush every day – I still miss it.” But Mark foreshadowed the closure of Victoria’s native timber industry and was prepared for the sudden closure. “We knew it was coming” he says, “we’d been under pressure and it was only a matter of time.”
Together, Mark’s team made the tough call to wind things up which ensured they could qualify for redundancy and access vital support.
That’s when ForestWorks connected with Mark. He was connected with Worker Support Coordinator, Jeff, who guided him through every step.
“Jeff explained everything really clearly,” Mark said. “The first thing he told me was that I could get advice from a financial advisor – and that turned out to be the best move I ever made.”
Following sage advice to invest part of his redundancy payment into superannuation, he received a significant tax return. “It set me up for the future,” he said. “If I hadn’t spoken to Jeff and the financial advisor, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now. I always thank Jeff when I see him – he sent me in the right direction.”
Through ForestWorks, Mark also took the opportunity to complete a range of training courses, earning truck, excavator, and forklift licences among others, skills that have been very useful in his new role with Yarra Ranges Contracting. “Fourteen of us got our tickets in the courses,” he said. “We’d all built up strong practical experience over the years, and now we’ve got the formal qualifications to match.”
Today, Mark is in a leadership role, having secured a position with Yarra Ranges Contracting, where he oversees a team and works independently on large-scale projects across the Upper Yarra and Thompson Dams.
He still prides himself on his work ethic, but is also enjoying increased autonomy that has come with the senior role.
With the foresight and planning, Mark now has multiple options for his retirement.
“I don’t owe a cent to anyone,” he said. “With the training, the super advice, and the new skills, I’m set up to work locally until I’m ready to pull back. The Worker Support Program really helped make that happen.”
“I still miss the bush, but I’ve landed on my feet. What Jeff and ForestWorks did for me – it’s made all the difference.”
Disclaimer: This case study is provided for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute financial or taxation advice. Readers are encouraged to obtain independent professional advice relevant to their individual situation.
The Dennis family turned to upskilling and support from ForestWorks after four of five members lost jobs in the timber industry closure.
Upskilling has been key in finding work, 55-year-old dad Brett says, when generations of the family worked in the industry and didn’t know anything else.
With Brett working as a machine operator capable of doing most roles at the harvesting plant, son Jay working as a mechanic for harvest and hauling contractors, son Kyle employed by VicForest and daughter Sophie working in forest fire management, branching out into new careers and trades was the only way they could start earning again.
“Everyone needed to think of other ways and see how else they’re going to be making a living. I’ve got a family of five here, three kids and my wife and four out of five of us were all involved in the timber industry,” Brett said.
When news of the industry closure came in 2023, the staff were “in limbo”, Brett explains, until ForestWorks and the union helped the affected workers get recognition for their years of service in the industry.
“The payments helped people pay their bills, [but] no one made a fortune out of this. It helped compensate and cover for what we’d outlaid or fallen behind in.”
But that wouldn’t generate sustainable ongoing income that many in the community need.
“The upskilling was very important and the people at Forest Works have been fantastic,” Brett said.
“The coordinators, the WACs (Worker Assistant Coordinators) that were behind it all were so supportive of people, because there was a lot of people struggling mentally. There was a lot of depression and obviously that affects your home life and family.
“They’ve been so accommodating and helpful with the retraining for everyone. I can’t speak highly enough of all the people down there at Morwell office and the coordinators around.”
Personally, Brett attained certifications in forest operations and recently has been working on the ocean and soon hopes to find work in the mines. His sons are both working in mines in Western Australia and Queensland using qualifications they received from training organised through ForestWorks and his daughter – who retrained as a nurse and works at Bairnsdale Hospital – has done further specialised training that enabled her to start her own business.
“It is still a work in progress,” Brett continues. “I’m 55 but I still think I’ve got a lot to give. I’d rather focus on the positives and say okay well you know – this is where it is, this is where it’s at – what’s our next step.”
“It’s just being able to learn something new and get a new lease of life.”
Three Generations, One Industry, and a New Path Forward
For Warren Fraser, the native timber industry was more than a job – it was family tradition. Three generations of Frasers had worked in the bush, and Warren followed in his father’s footsteps, starting in the pine industry at 18 before moving to hardwood.
“I’ve been in the industry for about 30 years,” he says. “It was the job I loved. Going to work every day was something I enjoyed, and then all of a sudden, it all stopped.”
The closure of the native timber industry in Victoria left many like Warren facing uncertainty and rippled through local communities. “It was like the carpet was swept from under our feet,” he explains. “I had to go to Western Australia for a fly-in, fly-out job just to keep up with the house and support my son.”
ForestWorks helped Warren navigate the upheaval. “[Worker Assistant Coordinator] Darren was a big help getting my payout sorted. He pushed and pushed, always ringing or emailing to help,” Warren says. “Without them, I probably wouldn’t have got anywhere.”
ForestWorks supported Warren to upgrade his skills, including his truck licence and forklift licence, preparing him for new opportunities while keeping him connected to his roots in the bush. “They’ve been very helpful and supportive all along,” he says.
Despite the challenges of life as a FIFO worker, Warren remains committed to his family’s legacy in the future.
“Dad’s still got the log truck, and even though he’s 73, he keeps going. I’d like to take it over one day, but the industry isn’t the same. I’m trying to retrain, upgrade skills, and work out what’s next.”
For Warren, his journey isn’t just about work, it’s about ensuring the next generation can still thrive. With guidance and ongoing support from ForestWorks, he’s finding ways to adapt while keeping the Fraser family’s connection to the land alive.
From Timber to Training: Aaron’s Journey to New Opportunities
When the native timber industry shut down in 2023, Aaron found himself – like many of his workmates – suddenly facing unemployment. After finishing up in December 2024, he was left wondering what came next.
“I’ve got a few mates now from that job, and they’re in exactly the same position,” Aaron said. “It’s been one big hit for us.”
Although he’d worked in construction earlier in life, the timber industry had been his steady trade. With its closure, Aaron was keen to reskill and find a way forward.
“Once ForestWorks came out to see us, they told us, you know, if you need any help, we’re here. And basically once I was out of work, I was ringing my Worker Assistant Coordinator Kevin saying, okay, where do we go from here? I want to do some courses, better myself.”
Aaron gained his forklift licence as well as qualifications in operating machinery including bobcat, excavator, backhoe and front-end loader. “The forklift licence is pretty much a standard thing these days. If you don’t have that, you don’t get any warehouse jobs. And the machinery licences give me a big range of options to choose from.”
That training paid off quickly. Just weeks later, Aaron stepped into a new role based in Lilydale, which was close to home.
Aaron says the ongoing support has been just as important as the initial training. “Kevin’s always said, even though you’ve got the job, that doesn’t mean we’re not here. They’ve always been available. There’s no missed calls, no waiting around. It’s always, ‘let us know what you want to do and we’ll organise it.’ They’ve been very helpful and very supportive all along.”
For Aaron, the new role isn’t just about income — it’s about building towards the future. With his partner based overseas, he’s saving to bring her to Australia and start a new chapter together.
“I grew up around this area, and I’ve always wanted to stay here. Now with this work, I can plan for what’s next.”
Sawdust and Shiraz: Sandy and Andy’s Story of Transition
For Andy and Sandy, timber has always been more than a job – it was the only way of life they had ever known. Andy started cutting timber as a teenager and has spent more than half a century in the forest, most recently in the Rushworth State Forest. “I always say he’s got sawdust in his veins,” Sandy said.
So when Victoria’s native timber industry shut down, it wasn’t just work that was lost, but a lifetime identity. “It was like a slap in the face really,” Sandy said. “Andy’s in his late 60s now. He’d given his whole life to timber, and then it was just gone.”
The couple already had another passion project underway on their 17-acre property at Eastgate, where they’d planted a vineyard more than 20 years earlier. Today, 11 acres of vines produce award-winning Shiraz, including one label called The Sawmiller that proudly features Andy’s old tractor and a piece of ironbark timber – a nod to his lifelong connection to the forest.
When the forestry industry closed, ForestWorks stepped in to help Andy and Sandy navigate the upheaval. “Our coordinators Kevin and Brett actually came out and visited us in person, and that meant a lot,” Sandy said. “Kevin kept in touch every week, checking in to see how we were going. He even came out and helped us with the paperwork for compensation. Without them, I don’t think we would have received anything.”
While training wasn’t a pathway Andy chose, the support was just as valuable. “It wasn’t just the help with forms or the payout — it was the calls, the visits, the genuine care. Even now, Kevin still rings just to ask how we’re going. That ongoing support has made a huge difference.”
The vineyard has become the couple’s focus for the future. They’ve weathered the challenges of COVID, restarted their live Blues Nights in the winery where up to 80 people come and enjoy the wines and local bands, and continue to produce wines that reflect both their land and their legacy. “We’ll keep poking along as long as we can,” Sandy said. “Our grandchildren already help at vintage time. One of our wines is even named after them.”
For Andy, after such a long career in timber, the transition was difficult but the support of ForestWorks and the resilience of a life-long timber family has carried them through. As Sandy says: “Kev was just amazing. Genuine. Supportive. We couldn’t speak highly enough of him.”
