About 150 employees were thrown into the unknown and suddenly faced the fast-approaching Christmas without an income.

It was a dark day for Stawell. 

But the future of Stawell Gold Mines is looking bright after Areta Capital Partners bought the site. 

Former Stawell Gold Mines employee Matt Smith was now employed locally, but said he still remembered “that day” in December last year. 

“I was brushing my teeth and was just about to leave when I received a text message about a possible closure,” he said. 

“We met at Big Hill because the gates to the mine was locked and got a little information up there, but then we were told to head down to the gun club and that’s when we found out our jobs were gone.”

Mr Smith faced a second blow when he was told by doctors his 10-year-old son would need to remain in hospital over Christmas to undergo treatment for leukaemia.

“I needed employment and there was nothing in Stawell for the labourer type, so I went to Queensland to work,” he said. 

“But then you’re about 3000 kilometres away from your family, so that adds more stresses –  the situation was not ideal because we didn’t really know what was going to happen.”

But Mr Smith who has been employed locally for three months said Areta Capital Partners’ purchase of the mine was “awesome” news. 

“Hopefully bring back jobs can become an option further down the track,” he said. 

Northern Grampians Shire Council mayor Cr Tony Driscoll said the sale of the Stawell Gold Mines and the new owner’s plan to return to full production was just the latest sign Stawell's fortunes were on the rise.

"All the indicators are suggesting an extremely positive future for Stawell, and the recent sale of the Stawell Gold mine is another highlight in what has been a successful year for the town and the Northern Grampians Shire at large," he said. 

"Along with the Bulgana Power Hub announcement earlier this year, this clearly illustrates that major investors are prepared to buy into in the future of Stawell and the Northern Grampians Shire.

"This year, we've also seen Council work closely alongside external agencies to clear the Stawell tyre stockpile site, an operation which has not only removed a major fire and environmental hazard from our doorstep, but also vastly improved the livability of Stawell and built on its attraction to potential investors."