JANUARY 20, 2016 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
Masters jobs pain By Benjamin Millar More than 100 jobs at Braybrook and Footscray are in jeopardy in the wake of Woolworths’ decision to pull the plug on its troubled Masters stores. Losses topping $600 million over the past four years, with no sign of a profit on the horizon, has spurred the company to a decision to either sell or close its home improvement chain. The decision will impact Masters stores at Braybrook, Caroline Springs and Williams Landing, and a further 60 locations across Australia, as well as Home Timber and Hardware in Footscray.
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Jump in, boots and all After shedding 51.6 kilograms to win TV’s The Biggest Loser Loser, Hoppers Crossing’s Daniel Jofre says he and his family want to give back to the community by running free boot camps at Altona. Daniel weighed 132 kilograms when he entered the Channel 10 series with his uncle Rob, of Altona, and brothers Pablo and Tony, also of Hoppers Crossing. The Jofre family was also the biggest ‘losing’ family, dropping 208.6 kilograms among the four of them. Rob Jofre was named the biggest losing contestant, shedding 59.3 kilograms. Since the show ended more than six months ago, all four have kept the weight off and gained muscle tone. Rob says the boot camp idea eventuated because the family wanted to give something back. “One thing we learnt through our journey was that when we’re inspired, we inspire others, and we inspired each other in the competition,” he said. “The four of us kept each other on track, and we said we wanted to do the same thing for our family and our friends, so we decided to do something for the community free of charge.” Daniel said the boot camps would be suitable for all ages and fitness levels. “If there’s someone limited with injuries or fitness-wise, we change it for them,” he said. “If there’s kids, we do little games for them.” Pablo said their dramatic weight loss had changed their lives. “You feel great. It’s a new lease on life, and it’s fantastic.” Tony said the family wanted to align itself with a charity to reach out Australia-wide. “Hopefully, in future we can reach out to other towns as well.” The boot camps will run on the next two Sundays from 10am at Apex Reserve.
We’ll be ensuring every possible avenue for - Gerard Dwyer redeployment
(Damjan Janevski)
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Woolworths announced on Monday it would either sell or wind up the stores after sustaining heavy losses. Woolworths chairman Gordon Cairns said it was forced to make the decision as it would take “many years” for Masters to become profitable. “We have determined we cannot continue to sustain ongoing losses from this business,” he said. “We intend to pursue an orderly prospective sale or wind-up of the business.” Mr Cairns said the process of winding up its failed business venture would take at least two months to complete, while a “potential sale process or other exit process will take additional time”. Losses at Masters were $245 million in 2015. The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association told Fairfax Media the looming sale or closure left 10,000 workers and their families facing an “uncertain future”. “This is obviously a devastating time for workers and their families,” union national secretary Gerard Dwyer said. “If a sale can’t be secured, we’ll be ensuring that every possible avenue for redeployment of Masters’ dedicated, hard-working employees is explored. “The union has already sought and been given assurances that Woolworths will be working closely with staff and the SDA to maximise redeployments, should the business have to close.” The National Union of Workers, which represents Masters warehouse staff, said the decision would impact hard on employees.
TONY (JUMPING), ROB, DANIEL AND PABLO JOFRE
Tues 26 Jan 2016: 1-8pm, McNish Reserve, Yarraville festivalcity.com.au
1213695-DJ03-16
Goya Dmytryshchak