Snapsot of the past

A photograph of Longwarry’s first milk factory in 1921.

As land was cleared and the Victorian Land Acts of the 1860s and 70s opened land for farming, dairying began in the Longwarry district.

At the time, farmers delivered their own milk and cream from hand separators to the Longwarry railway station.

The purchase of the cream was generally arranged by each farmer with a variety of Melbourne buyers. This often meant a wide variance in prices paid, farmers not receiving payment in a timely fashion and even reported cases of farmers not being paid at all. This was either through their cream not being appropriately recognised as theirs or straight-out dishonesty by the people they were dealing with.

In light of these facts and with more leases being granted, the volume of milk increased enormously. It was clear farmers needed a better, more sustainable way of getting their milk to market and to receive a much more reliable and equitable payment for that milk.

In 1919, with the backing of the progress association, a real effort was made to open a milk depot in Longwarry township.

A further meeting in 1920 appointed Mr Robert (Bob) Boxshall to speak with local farmers and other businessmen. He was successful in gaining support for the Longwarry and District Dairymen’s Cooperative.

The “Weekly Times” on October 15, 1921, reported Longwarry dairymen had decided to form a local co-operative company to deal with district supplies of milk.

“The capital has been fixed at £3000, in 3000 shares of £1 each, payable 2/6 on application and 2/6 on allotment, the balance to be paid at the rate of 2/6 a share at periods not longer than three months,” the article read. “Already 1000 shares have been applied for.”

It added Messrs Boxshall, Bain, Suelf, Crome, Lilley, Walters and Clifford had been appointed provisional directors.

Mr Andy Cromb was the first manager, with Mr W. Else his deputy. Both men had other jobs and so were very busy men indeed.

The milk received was brine cooled and then carted by Mr. Norton to the station to be loaded on a train for Melbourne.

This is part one of our Longwarry and District Dairymen’s Cooperation snapshot. Part two will follow next week.

Photograph and information courtesy of the Longwarry and District History Group.

The group focuses on the history of the 3816 postcode, including Longwarry, Labertouche and Modella, and is always seeking new members and sponsorship.

Visit longwarryhistory.org.au for further information.