Holden workers salute the end of the Lion on the last day

DESPITE the end of an era today with Holden’s closure, these four long-time Elizabeth plant workers are staying philosophical. GALLERY: 161 years of Holden

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THE first of the last drinks for the homemade Holden were a few quiet beers that slid down easily at the Old Spot Hotel on Thursday, but the drinkers were keen to keep the proverbial glass half full.

Longtime Elizabeth plant workers Mark Murray, Paul Waldron, Robert Payne and Peter Clarke were philosophical about the carmaker’s Elizabeth closure today and agreed the company had done a fair job of preparing its people for the end of theirs.

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It didn’t seem like a company PR line, for there’s no need for that now. If anything, they were being upbeat for the sake of those more uncertain about their futures.

“I hate to be negative,” said Mr Murray, clearly meaning it.

“But I know of some couples with high mortgages and a couple of brand-new cars in the garage and with their wages cut it’s going to be a tight squeeze,” said the 54-year-old tyre-and-rim specialist, who is now planning a Bali holiday before starting a new career in the security industry.

Last drinks ... Holden workers Mark Murray, Paul Wasldron, Robert Payne and Peter Clarke at the Old Spot Hotel. Picture: Matt Turner

Mr Clarke told The Advertiser the company had informed staff that “80 per cent of the workers have already got jobs or are in the process of getting jobs”.

“What I’m concerned about is that for every one person at Holden, there’s five people in the supply chain outside.”

To that, Mr Murray added: “A lot of people have lost their jobs without any bloody back-up”.

Meanwhile, he said, millions of dollars worth of unused parts, including perfectly good wheel rims, were being crushed and thrown out because selling them separately would cause insurance complications.

A three-storey metal press worth $50 million new is understood to be for sale for just $1, but the buyer will have to spend a fortune moving it.

Mr Waldron, who worked for Holden for 41 years, mostly as an inspector, is now 59 and will take a year off before seeking some casual work. He knows that will be hard at 60. For now, he’s looking forward to “a good party” today.

Mr Clarke, a forklift driver with Holden for 19 years, is 61 and “retiring a little bit earlier than I was hoping to”.

Mr Payne, 61, a body-shop worker and 29-year veteran, is also retiring.

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