FONTERRA Australia’s manufacturing site in Cobden, south-west Victoria, yesterday celebrated 125 years of operations, hosting a celebratory event to mark the occasion.
The site, which produces Western Star butter, first commenced operations as the Cobden and District Cheese and Butter Factory Company Limited in 1888 and was acquired by Fonterra in 2001.
Since then Fonterra has invested over $50 million into the site, which is recognised today as a mainstay in the Cobden community.
Fonterra Australia Managing Director Judith Swales says the milestone is testament to the dairy expertise that exists at Cobden.
Fonterra’s Cobden site processes milk from farms across south west Victoria to produce market-leading products and high value export commodities.
Fourth generation supplier to the now-Fonterra factory, Mark Billing says he is proud to be part of the process that has put Western StarTM butter on the kitchen table of Australian’s for generations.
“The Billing family moved to the region in 1928, the herd of 20 cows were walked from Melbourne to Larpent on a four day trek," he said.
"My great grandfather supplied the Colac Dairy Company, which later merged with the Cobden and District Cheese and Butter Factory Company Limited to form Bonlac before becoming Fonterra.
"We’ve always supplied the same company, for me, it’s the history.
"My Dad was a Bonlac Milk Supply Officer so we have a strong connection to Bonlac and Fonterra.
"It’s the local pride in seeing our product on the shelf and knowing that we contribute to it."
Cobden Site Manager, Liam Richardson yesterday unveiled a commemorative plaque - together with the Billing family and the site’s longest servicing employee, Chris Boyle – to celebrate a milestone in history.
This weekend the site will be supporting the annual Cobden Spring Festival on October 19-20 as part of the ongoing celebrations.
On Saturday, Fonterra will lead the street parade with a horse and milk cart, followed by a vintage truck and finally Fonterra’s modern b-double tanker.
