Family legacy: Margaret Cockburn, 94, ready to retire as Warrell Creek Sawmill up for sale

Margaret Cockburn, 94, is finally ready to retire from Warrell Creek Sawmill. The business has been in her family for close to 85 years, but is now on the market.

Warrell Creek Sawmill part-managers Margaret and Mark Cockburn alongside CJD Equipment’s Peter Marshall. The mill is up for sale.

Margaret Cockburn, 94, is now ready to retire from the sawmill which has been in her family for close to 85 years.

Mrs Cockburn has worked as part manager of the Warrell Creek Sawmill, about 8km south of Macksville, alongside her late husband Jim Cockburn and now her son Mark Cockburn since 2000.

“I’ve got no plans once it sells – just to retire, relax and enjoy life,” she said.

The sawmill was established in 1947. Jim’s brother bought the sawmill in the early 1950s and sold it to the Cockburns in 1962.

Warrell Creek Sawmill is up for sale.

Mrs Cockburn said her age and Mark’s cancer diagnosis meant it was the right time to put the sawmill at 110 Giinagay Way up for sale.

She was philosophical about the long legacy of the Cockburns and the sawmill - the hard work and the busyness of raising a family in the former house next to the mill.

“There are hard times and there are good times, but you have to take the good with the bad,” Mrs Cockburn said.

Warrell Creek Sawmill on 110 Giinagay Way, Warrell Creek was established in 1947.

The sawmill employs 20 workers and produces a variety of timber products, including structural timber, fencing materials and specialty hardwoods.

It’s up for sale with Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers for a little less than $3 million.

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Originally published as Family legacy: Margaret Cockburn, 94, ready to retire as Warrell Creek Sawmill up for sale