News

The dairy on the Avondale Estate is to close because of concern over its long-term viability.

The owner of the dairy, Avondale College, has negotiated over the past year a three-year lease agreement with the tenant. However, the tenant has now indicated he does not wish to proceed with the arrangement. The tenant cites unfavourable economic conditions--rising feed and fuel costs from dairy food companies, among them--exacerbated by the drought. Under these circumstances, the tenant does not believe it is financially viable to continue operating the dairy. Consequently, the operation of the dairy will cease early next month (July).

Avondale has not and will not sell the land surrounding the dairy, preferring instead to retain the land in perpetuity for future expansion. Avondale is exploring alternative uses for the land, which in the short to medium term will be of an agricultural nature to help manage the paddocks. Accommodation for residential students is planned for the land below the dairy.

Avondale will sell its herd of cows, but only to other dairy farmers.

The dairy has operated since the college's earliest days. The board of the then Avondale School for Christian Workers voted on November 8, 1897 to purchase two cows. It voted on February 9 the next year to add a farmer to its staff. The school used the dairy to supply milk to its kitchen and to educate and provide employment to students, who milked most of the cows up until the 1980s.

Dairy Farmers, the leading branded dairy business in Australia, presented the dairy with an Exceptional Quality Award and the regional Milk Quality Award in the 2004-2005 financial year and a Superior Quality Award in 2005-2006.