Reflections

After 110 years of operation the dairy on the Avondale Estate has closed because of concern over its long-term viability.

After growing from a two cow, farmer-less enterprise in 1897 to an award winning dairy the current economic and environmental climate forced the college to reconsider the use of its land.

Avondale, the owners of the dairy, had been in the process of negotiating a new three-year lease with the tenant. However, the tenant indicated he did not wish to proceed citing unfavourable conditions--rising feed and fuel costs, among them--exacerbated by the drought as hindrances to the profitability of the venture.

Under these circumstances, the tenant did not believe it was financially viable to continue operating the dairy. Consequently, the operation of the dairy ceased early in 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 November 8, 1897 when the board of the then Avondale School for Christian Workers voted to purchase two cows. On February 9 the next year a farmer was added to the school's staff to maintain and expand its operations as needed.

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.

Since then the dairy has grown into a high quality milk-producing farm. 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.

Visitors to Avondale's Lake Macquarie campus will miss the sight of the cattle as the drive along College Drive. Despite its closure the dairy will live on in the memory of those students who were lucky enough to be apart of this rich facet of Avondale's history.