- A LITTLE HISTORY OF THE ROBERTSON CHEESE FACTORY
- Foreword to the book "The Well-matured Robertson Cheese Factory"
- written by Nance Morrow.
Australian farmers are a hard working, resilient people, used to hardship and used to helping one another when the need arises. A strong sense of co-operation developed among the Selectors of the late 1800's and early 1900's as they worked together to clear the vast tracts of Yarrawa Brush and create a successful farming community wthin the Robertson - Burrawang district.
By the mid 1930's the District was one of the most productive dairy regions in the country. However, after years of accepting low prices for their surplus or "block" milk, farmers decided to take matters into their own hands and The Robertson Co-operative Dairy Company was formed in 1936. By using their surplus milk to produce cheese, farmers were able to add value to their product and provide much needed local employment.
Within a short time, 'Robertson Tasty Cheddar' was popular with major export markets and the Robertson Cheese Factory was a popular tourist attraction. Valuable employment opportunities for local young men and women allowed them to remain within the district and contribute further to its development.
Visitors brought additional income into the township.
The Robertson Co-operative Dairy was a highly successful venture and it was only when revolutionary changes within the dairy industry saw milk refrigerated on farms and then sent directly to Sydney for processing, that the Co-operative was no longer viable.
But, never say die!
Robertson was very pleased when sometime later, Liz and Allan Jackson breathed new life into the building, creating a range of speciality shops, which together with the associated cafe, again offer valuable employment opportunities and attract visitors to the town.