Stanhope has been named Australia’s inaugural Legendairy Capital, but dairy farmers in the north Victorian town are doing it tough.
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A celebration even on the town’s oval on Thursday provided a great opportunity for dairy farmers, service providers and others in the community to discuss challenges, including a very dry season and high water prices, and the way that the townsfolk band together to support each other in the good and tough times.
The town in the Murray Dairy region, home to just 490 people, is the first to hold the coveted title that recognises the most vibrant and resilient dairying communities.
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Dairy Australia (DA) received more than 100 nominations about 39 towns. Its managing director Ian Halliday said since the search began in April, he had been extremely impressed by the stories of dairy farmers’ tireless contributions to improve their rural communities.
“It’s wonderful to be able to shine a light on Australia’s dairy farmers and these Legendairy communities who are proud, innovative and inspiring. Stanhope is a close-knit community that has faced its share of challenges, but it has also thrived by pulling together through the good and tough times,” Mr Halliday said.
Originally founded as a soldier settlement during the First World War, dairy quickly became an important industry in Stanhope and remains so today, including being home to Fonterra’s specialty cheese plant. Local dairy farmer Andrew Hipwell said at least two-thirds of the town’s population were dairy farmers, employed by local services or worked in the Fonterra factory.
As the Legendairy Capital of the Murray Dairy region, Stanhope received a $2500 community grant to enhance a playground at the Stanhope Recreation Reserve. That project, identified and supported by the groups and residents of the town, will now receive a further $7500.
The bi-annual search for Australia’s Legendairy Capital will begin again in 2017 and once again, Dairy Australia will be encouraging towns across all dairy regions to nominate.
