It began under a tree in Clunes in 1895 when a group of 40 farmers gathered to discuss how they could collaborate to secure a better and more profitable future for the dairy farmers of the region. And it is still going strong with yesterday, Thursday 5 June marking 130 years with NORCO (North Coast Fresh Food & Cold Storage Co-operative Company Ltd) being Australia’s largest and oldest dairy co-operative.
From their shaded spot in Clunes the farmers were able to set up facilities in Byron Bay and began operating on 5 June 1895. From there they were quick to expand with bacon curing operations starting in Byron on 30 April, 1896, a depot opened in Murwillumbah in November 1897 and another at Casino opened in 1898 beside the Richmond River as sea going ships could navigate inland on the river way. While the company is now identified as being a Lismore based company they didn’t open their first branch factory there until 2 December, 1902.
Celebrating 130 years with school milk bottles
To mark this historical milestone, Norco brought back the famed school milk program for one day only offering free milk for all primary schools and students in the Lismore region. Amid conversations and advocacy efforts to revive the national school milk program, Norco delivered thousands of milk bottles to five participating schools in Lismore, honouring its heritage and region where it all began back in 1895. Participating schools include Wyrallah Road Public School, Living School, Lismore South Public School, St Carthage’s Primary School and Albert Park Public School.
Norco CEO, Michael Hampson said that the team at Norco could not think of a better way to honour its history and that of the industry, while giving back to its heartland community and saying thank you for 130 years of support.
‘We are celebrating all our farming families, many of whom are multi-generational, that work rain, hail or shine to deliver the best, freshest tasting dairy for our co-operative. To honour this incredible milestone, it felt only natural to give back to the next generation in this way, while at the same time helping to educate about the great health benefits of fresh milk,’ he said.
Angie Wilson, at Wyrallah Road Public School said ‘I remember the free milk program well. I can see so many benefits in this idea even if it’s only for one day. Celebrating our region’s iconic Norco in this way enables us to connect our students to its rich heritage, while educating them on the nutritional benefits of fresh, great tasting milk, while also acknowledging the hard-working dairy farmers who make it all possible.’
A Norco dairy farmer for over 25 years, Andrew Wilson reflected on the birthday milestone saying how genuinely proud he and his family are to be part of the oldest and last operating dairy co-operative in Australia.
‘Being a Norco dairy farmer is more than just producing great dairy, it means being part of a 100 per cent farmer-owned co-operative that backs its farmers and supports our local communities.
‘It’s a great source of pride for not only me but my whole family and we truly appreciate anytime someone chooses to buy Norco, because when they do, every cent goes back to support farming families like ours, and for that we are genuinely grateful,’ Mr Wilson said.
With 281 active members on 188 dairy farms in northern New South Wales and southeast Queensland, Norco employs approximately 800 people across five production facilities, two corporate offices and 25 rural retail stores that operate as far north as Bundaberg to as far south of the Hunter region in NSW.
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