At 27 years of age, Damian Beveridge found himself out of work and living on welfare from Centrelink.
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Determined to contribute and pay his own way in the world, Mr Beveridge embraced the Work for the Dole program at the Indigenous Concepts and Networking (ICaN) nursery in Dubbo.
He put his head down, worked hard and eventually secured paid work at the nursery.
Now at 29, he fears a possible decision to sell off the site the nursery calls come could lead him back to unemployment.
The NSW government's Forestry Corporation owns the Monash street site the nursery operates from.
In February, the Corporation told ICaN owner Robert Riley that when the current lease agreement ended in June, he would be put on a month-to-month lease until a review of the site was completed.
Mr Riley claimed he was recently told the corporation's office — that sits next to the nursery on the Monash Street site — would be moved to a new site in Dubbo's central business district.
"Forestry Corporation has not signed a lease for alternate office premises in Dubbo, however it is reviewing its use of the current site and considering options for accommodating staff in the future," a spokesperson said when asked about Mr Riley's claim.
"No decisions have been made at this point."
For ICaN workers like Mr Beveridge, the review and uncertainty has created anxiety about the future.
Along with Mr Riley and ICaN service users, Mr Beveridge worries a review of sites by a government with a record of selling off public assets, is a precursor to a sell-off.
"It opened up a really good employment opportunity for me," he said about working at ICaN.
"When you're on the dole — and I hated being on the dole — you just can't afford anything.
"You barely scrape by."
Since re-entering the workforce at ICaN, Mr Beveridge said he's a "a lot more open now and able to talk to people a lot easier."
"I help people that come in, teach them new skills I've learnt over the years like landscaping and things like that," he said.
"I have kids that have trouble at school - whether it be fitting in or in trouble - we get them to open up and they've improved with whatever criteria they were having trouble with.
"We supply a lot of plants to the river and to people around town."
Mr Beveridge said earning an income from paid employment at ICaN had allowed him to move into his own rental property.
"I've bought a car, built savings, went down to Melbourne for a week on a holiday," he said.
"It's not easy to get a job anymore so I'm worried if the nursery is sold I won't have a job and will be back on the dole."
Member-elect for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said he's discussed the issue several times with Mr Riley.
"Now that I am the elected MP I am hopeful of being able to help bring about a resolution," he told the Daily Liberal.
"I was only officially elected six days ago but I have raised the issue with the relevant minister's office and I will endeavour to bring the parties together to try and find a solution."
Mr Riley said he can't plan for the nursery's long-term future until the corporation review is completed.
He plans to ask Federal Parkes MP Mark Coulton if he can provide advice or support on how to secure a stable future for ICaN, staff and people the organisation supports.
