Congratulations. In February, Fleurieu Milk was recognised as one of the best dairy farmers in Australia*. How does that feel? 

We are very happy to be a finalist but also very happy for Hughes family who won it. These guys are struggling with the drought so the award would be very good for them. 

As well as a great product, the judges selected finalists who were ‘leading the way’. How did a collective of Myponga farmers change the status quo of the dairy industry?

When we started in 2004, all you could buy from the supermarket was processed milk from commercial companies. But we wanted to go for a product that tasted as close to natural cow’s milk as possible so we pasteurised the milk at the lowest temperatures permitted and for the shortest time. That first bottle got us going. 

How important are relationships to the success of Fleurieu Milk?

It’s what we focused on from the beginning, where being local — and supporting local — is a massive part of our business. 

Did you grow up on a dairy farm?

No, but I grew up in Myponga and Louise and I have been on the dairy farm, where the factory is, for 32 years. 

What was it like growing up in Myponga?

Hutchinson name is fairly common, so it was great. A lot of what we did evolved around sport and the community. I have a photo taken in ’83 of my footy team and 15 of the 23 guys were dairy farmers. Now there’s not one, which reinforces how times have change from being a strong dairy community to being about eight dairies left in Myponga Basin.

What’s your best memory of life on the Fleurieu?

For me, it would be family and friends, and catching up with them fairly regularly. 

Away from dairy where do you relax?

Not normally with milk in hand; but closer to beer. The local watering holes are all great around our area. Within a stone’s throw we have microbreweries like Smiling Samoyed, Forktree Brewing, to the Victory Hotel with restaurant quality feeds, and then there’s golf at the Links Lady Bay.

For people visiting the Fleurieu, what’s your top tip for a swim?

I’m not that aquatic, but along Sellicks and Aldinga beaches are as good as anywhere in Australia in terms of sandy beaches and being able to drive along the coastline. 

Winery?

I can’t go past Lake Breeze at Langhorne Creek and their Bernoota is one of my favourite reds.

Products to stock up on?

Outside of dairy our micro-breweries and wineries take a lot to beat and the likes of Alexandrina Cheese are worth a visit and worth the purchase. They’re all top quality products. 

With national and international distribution, what do you miss about the Fleurieu when you’re away?

I appreciate it more. I think the Fleurieu is one of the greatest areas in the world, yet from a tourism perspective it’s the most unexplored region in Australia. 

[*The Weekly Times Coles 2019 Dairy Farmer of the Year Awards, announced on 26 February 2020.]

Horse riders start the day at Sellicks Beach — one of Geoff Hutchinson’s favourite beaches.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

https://www.fleurieumilkco.com.au/

https://www.lakebreeze.com.au/

http://www.smilingsamoyed.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/forktreebrewing/

https://www.alexandrinacheese.com.au/

https://victoryhotel.com.au/

https://linksladybay.com.au/golf