Mayor's message
Like many people across Wonthaggi, I was disappointed to hear the news that Cyclone will close its doors later this year.
By Cr Brett Tessari
Like many people across Wonthaggi, I was disappointed to hear the news that Cyclone will close its doors later this year.
For more than 75 years, Cyclone has been part of the story of Wonthaggi.
It arrived at a time when our town was looking to diversify beyond coal mining and went on to become one of our most important employers.
At its peak, hundreds of local people worked there, and over the decades generations of families have walked through those factory gates.
While the workforce is much smaller today, the closure will still have a real impact on the 15 employees and their families who are affected by this decision.
Many of those workers have dedicated years, and in some cases decades, to the business.
My thoughts are with them as they face the uncertainty that comes with losing a job and planning what comes next.
Cyclone was a place where quality products were made, where local skills were developed, and where people built long careers.
The famous green Cyclone shovels and tools became known across Australia, but they always had a connection back to Wonthaggi.
The company has advised that support will be provided to affected employees, including career counselling and assistance with finding new opportunities.
There is no sugar-coating the fact that this is the end of an era for Wonthaggi.
Manufacturing has played an important role in our town's history, and it is sad to see another long-standing local employer close its doors.
At the same time, Wonthaggi is a very different town to the one Cyclone arrived in back in 1950. Our economy is more diverse, with strong health, education, retail, tourism and service sectors continuing to create opportunities for local people.
On behalf of Bass Coast Shire Council, I want to thank Cyclone, and particularly the generations of workers who helped build its reputation.
Their contribution has helped shape Wonthaggi.
Council will be working with local people over the coming months on a way to celebrate Cyclone's long history in Wonthaggi.
