THE WAY WE WERE

DAIRY PAST: Staff pose for the camera at the Downs Co-operative Dairy Association building around 1904. The dairy was a major contributor to the wealth of the region for more than 100 years. In 1901, a controlled co-operative factory, run by a handful of farmers dependant on dairying, became a vision on these dairy men. A drought in 1902 ended this idea for the time being. The first public meeting was held at Westbrook on Saturday, April 23, 1904, for all persons interested in forming a co-operative butter factory. A meeting was also held on May 14, 1904, to discuss the name for the company. “The Darling Downs Co-operative Butter and Bacon Company” was proposed by a Mr Bullock and seconded by Mr Lancashire. With better seasons returning, a later meeting would determine the name of the factory to be “The Down’s Dairy Association Ltd”. It was to be located near the railway line at or near Toowoomba. The meeting also agreed “that the company be formed solely by dairymen and only new machinery be installed in the new factory and the best Manager suitable for the task ahead” be appointed. Manufacturing operation commenced on October 16, 1905. The Downs Co-operative Dairy Association Ltd officially opened on November 2, 1905. LEFT: A large crowd gathered for the opening of new buildings in 1930.

A reunion for those connected to the factory in Brook St, Toowoomba, will be held at the Highfields Pioneer Village on Australia Day. Within the Pioneer Village Complex is the Downs Dairy Museum dedicated to the history of the Unity/ Dairy Farmers Factory. For more details, phone Ph: (07) 4696 6309.