A FAMILY TRADITION

Built in 1876

“The Mudgee Dairy Company Pty Ltd” known by locals as the “Butter Factory” registration number ABN 000 000 797.

The local farmers made daily trips to the factory. The cream was then separated from their milk and the skimmed milk sold to local farmers and some town customers.  The separated cream was made into the brand known throughout the Central West as MUNNA butter. During the years 1932 to 1936 the local Dairy farmers supplied sufficient milk and cream to enable the factory to send to Sydney 800 boxes of butter per week, each weighing 56lbs.

Production of butter ceased in 1963 and the company became the distributor for Allowrie butter and other products of the Producers Distributing Co-operative society.

Poor roads in and out of Mudgee along with the formation of the Dairy Industry Authority in 1970 saw the Government regulate the Dairy Industry. Then in 1992 the government deregulated it and milk production, no longer being viable, ceased in the Mudgee district. Early mechanical operation of the factory was by  steam power and required the erection of a large brick chimney, a landmark in the town until demolished in 1972 due to change from steam to electric power.

Modern pasteurisation equipment and a bottling plant for whole milk was then installed along with the bottling of flavoured milk. It was during these years the Etherington family added fresh Narromine oranges to their beverage production. The area, now serviced, was known as the Macquarie Valley region, so the company adopted Macquarie Valley Juices as its brand name. In 2004 the Orchy brand was added to the family’s portfolio.

In 2022 customers can buy both Macquarie Valley and Orchy Fruit juices and drinks in all States and Territories of Australia.

From its humble beginning in 1876 as a butter factory to its present day, this iconic manufacturing beverage company is now one of the oldest manufacturing companies in Australia.

The Etherington family have worked and lived in Mudgee since the early 50’s, supporting local farmers, employing local people and providing personal service to Mudgee Shire residents.