The first travelling dairy in Queensland was started in April 1889, under the management of Mr. Baron Jones, and subsequently under that of Mr. James M’Cormick. Its first operations were in the neighbourhood of Tallebudgera, Coomera, Beenleigh, Ipswich, Tambourine, Beaudesert, and North Pine, and during the month some days were spent at the Brisbane Exhibition, where the dairy attracted great attention.
This No.1 dairy travelled continuously for three years. Its aim was to disseminate practical knowledge of dairying, the manufacture of butter and cheese using the latest and most approved methods, the selection of most suitable breeds of cattle for dairy purposes, the system of milking and feeding, buildings to suit the climate, and matters pertaining to dairying generally.
It had been only been in operation for six months before there was a demand for the services of a similar dairy for North Queensland. No. 2 dairy was therefore started, commencing operations at Mackay and continuing to travel through the north and other parts of Queensland for a period of seven years.
It was the hope of the Department of Agriculture that the instruction given by the travelling dairies would lead to the establishment of co-operative factories in many of the districts visited.
At a meeting at the Rosewood Farmers’ Club on 13th May 1889, the subject of having a travelling dairy visit Rosewood was discussed. It was proposed (by Mr. E. Johnson, and seconded by Mr. W. Mathew) to write to the Under Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, and ask him to make arrangements for the Travelling Dairy to visit Rosewood on the 8th August 1889.
The following conditions were mentioned as indispensible if a visit was made:
(1) A building about 16ft. square with outside facilities for driving the cream separator must be provided.
(2) Two horses or steam power to drive machinery would also be necessary.
(3) About ninety gallons of milk would be required each day.
With reference to the last mentioned condition, the Department expressed their willingness to pay for the milk supplied, or, if desired, to return the produce to the supplier of the milk free of charge. The dairy would remain in the district for a week or ten days.
The Travelling Dairy visited Laidley from the 28th October until 7th November when it was moved to Rosewood.
This is the report from the Queensland Times, Tuesday 26 November 1889, page 5
THE QUEENSLAND TRAVELLING DAIRY
That the interest in the Queensland Travelling Dairy does not flag is evident from the success attending it at the various centres of population which it visits. After having been located for couple of weeks in the Laidley district, the plant was removed to Rosewood, taking up its position in the Rosewood Agricultural Hall, where it has been situated for the past fortnight. Its season concluded yesterday, and the pupils (about sixteen) determined to mark its departure on a suitable and ever-to-be remembered manner, and accordingly set to work in a practical way to provide the necessary means. As a result of their labour, a handsome spread was laid out in the luncheon-shed in the Society’s grounds, the boards being really well stocked with provisions, and reflecting the greatest credit upon the young ladies who arranged them, each of whom seemed to endeavour to out-vie her neighbour in making the affair a success.
About 100 persons were present, and Mr. J. B. L. Isambert, M.L.A. for the district, occupied the chair, having on his right Mr. Baron Jones, and on his left Mr. T. W. Spence. Rain came on about 7 o’clock, and this greatly marred the effect of many of the speeches.
When all present had satisfied the inner man, the Chairman, after alluding to the usual loyal toasts, proposed “The Queensland Travelling Dairy,” coupled with the names of Messrs. Jones and Spence. The spread he said, had been got up by the lady pupils, who had determined to do honour to Mr. Jones and the remainder of the staff connected with the dairy, for their instruction in the art of dairying. (Hear, hear.) During the past fortnight they had dispensed knowledge to the farmers of the district. Two years ago, he (the speaker) had endeavoured to get Mr. Oxenford to exhibit his dairying appliances, but it did not come off satisfactorily, and he was pleased to see that the Travelling Dairy had visited the district, under such an able instructor as Mr. Jones. The appointment of Mr. Jones and the establishment of the diary was an evidence of very wise statesmanship, and the Government were appointing an agricultural instructor. The duties devolving upon an offer of the State were very onerous, and desired all the attention of the gentlemen undertaking the offices of Ministers. They expressed their hearty thanks to Mr. Jones for his instruction during the past couple of weeks and to the Government. (Hear, hear.) It was a really wise step for the Government to send the Travelling Dairy round, and he thought at would be a good return for the money invested. (Applause) It was his pleasing duty to present Mr. Jones with an address from the pupils and the committee of the Rosewood Farmers’ Club, couched in the following terms:-
Rosewood, November 25th, 1889
Baron Jones, Esq.,
Manager Government Travelling Dairy.
Dear Sir,
On the eve of your departure from Rosewood, where you have, during the last fortnight given a course of lessons in the art of butter and cheese making on scientific and best ascertained methods, the undersigned pupils and committee of the Rosewood Farmers’ Club desire to express their appreciation to you for the untiring zeal and kindness, and efficient manner in which you and your assistants (Messrs. T. Spence and J. M’Cormick) have imparted instruction to us in the very useful art of dairy operations. We shall forever remember you with feelings of gratitude and pleasure, and wish you prosperity, happiness and long life.
We remain sincerely yours,
Ellen O’Donnell, Elizabeth Freeman, Mrs. Freeman, Mrs. W. Loveday, Annie Urry, Ellen H. Stevens, Geo. A. Dutney, Henry Linning, Ann Dale, Mary Evans, Elizabeth Dutney, Winnifred Urry, Agnes Waight, Elizabeth Hudson, Frances Vance, Martha S. Blackmore, Margaret E. Blackmore, John Hucker, Elizabeth Waight, Committee of Farmers’ Club: J. B. L. Isambert, president; John Lane, vice-president: Wm. Blackmore, vice-president, J. Hudson, treasurer, J. Freeman, S. Waight, H. Stevens, Wm. Freeman, W. Loveday, Jas. Dale, W. Berlin, G. H. Dutney, J. W. Evans, secretary.
Mr. Isambert handed Mr. Jones the address, accompanying it with a few very eulogistic remarks.
Mr. Jones, who was well received, returned his very best thanks to those who had attended there that evening and to the ladies who had entertained them. The gathering was to him very encouraging, and showed him that he was doing good, and that his labours are being appreciated. By encouraging him in that way it stimulated him to further effort, and he felt that in visiting Rosewood he had not come there for nothing. The pupils had been doing well, and their work was very perfect-more so than in other districts. (Applause.) The interest of both people and public had been very deep. Before going there he had been told that Rosewood was a very dull place, but he found it to be quite the contrary. He would like to thank the pupils for their address, best wishes, and for the spread they had provided, as well as to the people who bad been instrumental in getting the dairy to that township. He believed Mr. Isambert had taken more interest in securing a visit of the dairy to his electorate than did any other member in the House, except Mr. E. J. Stevens in getting it to Beenleigh. He would like to see a co-operative factory started in Rosewood. The main thing was to get the farmers to combine, and he could assure them that there was money to be made out of it, more than had ever been made by the old system. While he had been in Rosewood he was treated like a king, and for this he asked them to accept his best thanks. (Loud applause.)
Mr. Spence also very suitably returned thanks, and corroborated most of the remarks made by Mr. Jones. The interest taken by the pupils in that district would be worth emulating in other townships in any part of the colony. He hoped the instruction would be made use of, and thanked them for the assistance which they had given to Mr. Jones and himself throughout their sojourn in Rosewood. (Applause.)
Commendatory speeches bearing on the occasion were delivered by Messrs. Hudson, Stevens, Jas. Dale, G. Dutney and John Dale, some of whom advocated that the Rosewood farmers should go in for a better class of cattle, and each bearing high testimony to the work of Mr. Jones and his staff. After the Chairman had made a few additional remarks, Mr. J. M’Cormick, in very felicitous terms, proposed the health of “The Ladies,” and paid a high tribute to the pupils for the state of efficiency they had attained and for the excellent repast they had provided that evening. The toast was drunk with musical honours and cheers.
Mr. Spence briefly responded, after which Mr. Taylor, in an eloquent speech, submitted “The Press of Queensland,” coupled with the name of the representative of this journal, to which the latter suitably replied.
Mr. Jones next proposed “The Chairman,” which was drunk with musical honours, and Mr. Isambert, having responded, those present adjourned to the hall, which was soon got in readiness for the ball, at which about thirty couples attended. Excellent music was provided by Messrs. J. Salisbury (cornet) and W. Bastet (piano), and dancing was kept up till the small hours, under the able supervision of Mr. Francis, who acted as master of ceremonies in a very efficient manner.
© Jane Schy, 2024
2 Comments
Thank you for this Jane. I’m writing up a family history. One member of the family was vice president of the Drayton and Toowoomba Horticultural Society Society. The topic of the upcoming visit of the travelling dairy to Toowoomba was discussed at a meeting he attended in February 1890! Now I know what the Travelling Dairy was. A great initiative. Philippa Adsett, Toowoomba
Thank you Philippa. I’m glad that you found my post on the Travelling Dairy useful. I’d love to have been a fly on the wall to see some of the “goings on” back then.