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According to Shepparton’s Wayne Bernhardt, the regional branch manager for Dairy Farmers, in the face of globalisation, people, particularly in regional communities, yearn for products that are locally-made.
“These days you go shopping, and half the time you’re buying baked beans from New Zealand or tomato sauce made in America.
“The fact that our products are made by locals – and from milk produced by cows that are literally just down the road – really appeals to people in Shepparton.
“Give any community half a chance, and that’s what they want – to support good quality local products.
“I’m proud to be involved in what’s now the only local milk producer in the region. And what’s more, we’re 100 per cent Australian-owned and farmer-owned.”
Mr Bernhardt estimated the factory, acquired by Dairy Farmers in 1993, had employed hundreds of locals in its 87 years of operation.
“And for many Shepparton kids, we’ve provided their first taste of working life through school work experience.”
Mr Bernhardt himself was born and bred in the region and has been involved in dairy all his life. He grew up on a dairy farm at Katunga, north of Shepparton.
His 92-year-old father was one of the original soldier settlers after World War 2. As well as readying his own farm for milk production, Mr Bernhardt senior was involved with other soldier settlers in building the region’s main irrigation channels.
“My dad and these other guys basically helped build and secure the future of the region’s dairy industry,” Mr Bernhardt said.
