South Wangaratta Creamery

At the start of the 1880s there were nearly half a million dairy cows in Victoria, so, the butter making industry prospered. By the end of 1890 there were 70 butter factories in the state.
Milawa Dairy Co-Operative opened in 1891 and by 1896 it was one of the biggest dairy companies in Australia. It operated until 1962 when it became the Milford Dairy Company. The Milawa Cheese Company now occupies this historic site.

The Wangaratta Chronicle reported on 14th July 1894 that the South Wangaratta Creamery was opened, with that morning’s milk amounting to 646 gallons, or 2932 litres. A luncheon was held for the opening, but preceding this, Miss. Mary O’Keefe cracked a customary bottle over the engine’s flywheel and declared the creamery opened.

In the South Wangaratta district those who milked cows carted the milk to the South Wangaratta Creamery. The milk was separated for the cream which was then taken to the Milawa butter factory.
An hour or two was spent in exchange of local news while waiting for the milk to be separated and anything of importance was always heard “at the factory”.

Mr. Brolly was an early manager at the creamery, followed by Mr. R.W.Hughes in 1897. When Mr. Hughes resigned in 1923 he had given 29 years of faithful service. Mr. J.P.Doig was then given the position as manager until 1930.
Because suppliers wanted the creamery to be kept open, Mr. W. Hourigan was installed as the final manager.
The South Wangaratta Creamery closed in 1931.


South Wangaratta Creamery

South Wangaratta Creamery