Dream to revive a Yarragon icon

milestone 50th anniversary in February.

They are now both officially retired from their respective vocations – Andy was a qualified painter and maintenance worker, while Bente was doing social work and family therapy.

For these past 15 years Bente has helped make ends meet by juggling her work commitments as a family counsellor, then since the unit renovations, operating guest accommodation for tourists.

Bente said that when the couple first took possession of the dairy her training came into timely use.

“We found two youths had been squatting illegally in the small front building. They had been sleeping rough and taking shelter by an open fire so I helped find them proper homes and support.”

Despite a lot of hard work, Andy’s eyes still light up when he gives guests the grand tour of the significant on-ground progress achieved so far.

Stepping inside the colossal structure of the dairy quickly generates a sense of awe. However, the couple has endured repeated disappointment as initial interest by potential business operators and community groups in leasing parts of the dairy has waned in recent years.

Andy said his frustration rises about the prohibitive cost of keeping utilities connected and his lack of knowledge on how to access the active guidance and support from regional development experts.

“We’ve had a lot of trouble navigating the local politics and planning processes with Baw Baw Shire Council,” Andy said. “We have been trying to save these buildings, add value to local history and the future growth and jobs in the Yarragon community.”

Andy said Baw Baw Shire Council had rezoned the property in recent years from residential, light industrial and commercial use to heavy industrial use only

“Now we are told only heavy industrial uses are allowed here so that means the council is saying “no” to our other business ideas to develop the old dairy for the community to use.

“I wanted to build a cafe at the front. There’s nothing here to serve the people on this side of the railway line. We were never a threat to the other shops in town, or all the other cafes,” he said.

“If we do put up any plans to council in the future, I hope the new councillors give us a fair go.”

Bente said early discussions to use the dairy as an arts studio and gallery had floundered, and the council instead backed the smaller Railway Station Gallery redevelopment project with a grant.

“We still think the local rural history and the arts should be showcased in a larger working studio and exhibition space to draw artisans and entertain people visiting Yarragon,” she said.

“The dairy would be perfect for exhibitions and studio space for semi-professional painters, potters, ceramicists, sculptors or bush welders with a rural-industrial style who need more room to work. “Hopefully other grants to will come up and we can get more support next time.”

The couple admit they need specialist advice on future planning applications for viable commercial ventures and/or community partnerships at the dairy. They are also unsure how to access support from Victorian Government departments to build a stronger business case and attract incentives.

“This dairy and the pub are the only iconic buildings left in Yarragon. It would be a great shame to let it slip away.”

“Build it and they will come...well not so far. We need some help to be able to make this all happen,” he said.