We are Gippsland's only farmer-owned milk company, selling purely jersey cow milk sourced from the rolling green hills of Jindivick. Gippsland Jersey is the creamiest, smoothest, most delicious milk imaginable.
Currently, our milk is stocked in some supermarkets and other independent retail outlets, mostly in Gippsland, but also in a small amount of Melbourne stores. A number of cafes are also using our milk which makes the most amazing coffees. We know the value of getting to meet the famers behind the products you sell, so Farmers Markets are a key to getting our brand and story out into the community. We attend the Warragul Farmers Market, Coburg Farmers Market, Eastland Famers Market, and the Melbourne Uni Farmers Market.
THE DAIRY FARMER
In 1895, Oscar Ronalds settled a small parcel of land in Jindivick, Gippsland. His dairy farm grew, and has been in the family ever since. His great, great grandson Steve purchased the farm and followed in the family tradition. He now oversees the milking of 450 jersey cows every day.
THE DAIRY FARMER’S DAUGHTER
Sallie Jones was born and raised on a dairy farm in Lakes Entrance, in East Gippsland. She spent her childhood in the farm’s milking sheds with her father, and later in the family’s ice cream shop, working diligently to support her father’s enterprise.
OUT OF CRISIS, AN OPPORTUNITY
In November 2015, a motorbike accident left Steve nursing broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a broken shoulder blade, a punctured lung, and short-term memory loss. Three hospitals later, he returned to his farm in Jindivick. He was unable to milk cows for eight months, his arm and shoulder too weak and too painful.
Then in April of the following year, tragedy struck when Sallie’s father passed away at his Lakes Entrance dairy farm.
Around the same time, the dairy industry was rocked when the two major milk processors slashed the price they paid to farmers for their milk. This left a trail of debt and despair throughout country Victoria.
GIPPSLAND JERSEY
Both at a crossroad, but keen to honour their dairy farming backgrounds, Sallie and Steve came together and started wrestling with the twin challenges of how to dairy farm sustainably, as well as support those dairy farmers who were struggling.
Gippsland Jersey was born. Bypassing the large milk processors allows Gippsland Jersey to ensure a fair price is paid to farmers, and gives consumers are clear choice when buying their milk.
THE DAIRY COMMUNITY
By returning a portion of profits to the Gippsland farming community, Gippsland Jersey helps support the mental and emotional wellbeing of dairy farmers who may be struggling.
