The company, which has operated here since 1963, announced on Thursday it would close its operations in Australia by the end of 2018, leaving 21,400 representatives without a product to sell.

Orange representative Jo Maclean said she was unaware until a friend told her.

“It’s going to be really sad,” she said.

Mrs Maclean amassed 60 clients in her six years as a representative and particularly treasured her elderly clients.

“You protect them and look after them as well,” she said.

She said Avon was a hobby for her and she would wrap up her sales endeavours when the brand withdrew.