For those employees in Leeton shire working with Essential Energy it has been a tough period for the majority of this year after it was announced jobs would go following a determination from the Australian Energy Regulator. 

Put yourself in their shoes. 

Imagine what it is like to constantly have a cloud hanging over your head regarding your future employment. 

It’s not an easy matter. 

Being employed is not just about turning up to work day in and day out. 

It’s about security. 

It’s about being able to pay the mortgage, put food on the table and pay the bills. 

Imagine not knowing what your employment situation will be like at the end of the year? 

It’s not just the electricity industry either. 

Job cuts of any kind in a shire like Leeton are not good. 

The flow on effect can be enormous. 

Those that lose their job may choose to move themselves and their families to “greener pastures”. 

This then impacts on our town’s economy, population and more. 

All of this counts when governments and those higher up are assessing our region. We need jobs to be created not decimated. 

- TALIA PATTISON