Historical information

On 28th December 1892 it was decided to form a company to be called the Kiewa Butter and Cheese Factory and Creamery Co. Ltd. Share Capital was to be 3000 shares at one pound per share.

The factory was built at Kiewa in 1893 and took in its first milk in December 1893. The first intake of cream from surrounding farmers took place in 1899. From 1900 to 1910 the Kiewa factory intake was affected by vagaries of weather. The following years were affected by the First World War and impacts on the London markets. In 1928 a new factory was constructed.

In the 1940s a piggery was established to dispose of buttermilk and a dairy farm was established for effluent disposal. In the 1950s a new factory for the receival of milk and milk products was constructed with surplus milk being manufactured into spray dried milk powder.

The Company was the first Victorian co-operative dairy to pasteurise and bottle milk for home delivery. They also promoted their milk which was Tuberculin free. Farmers were paid a premium for milk from herds declared T.B. free after testing by veterinary officers of the Kiewa and Mitta Valleys Veterinary Scheme.
That important fact is noted on the label of this product.

The Kiewa and Tallangatta Companies amalgamated in 1959 to form the North Eastern Dairy Company Limited. This product therefore predates that time.

Significance

This item is significant because it was manufactured by a Dairy Cooperative in the Wodonga District.

Physical description

A tin of powder used to make ice cream at home. The front features a photo of a bowl of ice cream with grapes sprinkled on it. Background information about the product and instructions for use are included.

Inscriptions & markings

Kiewa Spray Dried Ice Cream Mix Vanilla