Article by Madeleine Stephens courtesy of Business News.
Gina Rinehart and the Daubney family’s joint venture Bannister Downs Dairy has created the first Western Australian milk to be crowned most popular dairy product in the country.
Bannister Downs Farm Fresh Milk was awarded the People’s Choice Award at the recent 2022 Australian Grand Dairy Awards.
The business was founded by the Daubney family in 1924 and is now operated by third generation farmers Mat and Sue Daubney.
Mrs Rinehart entered a partnership with the Daubneys in 2014, to assist the family business to meet escalating demand.
She said the People’s Choice Award was recognition for the efforts of the team and a reward for their commitment and dedication.
Bannister Downs Dairy managing director and a First Amongst Equals 40under40 winner Mrs Daubney said the success was a huge milestone for the company after a challenging few years navigating the impact of the pandemic.
“It’s testament to our team and to our herd, our girls, and the ongoing investment in our product,” Mrs Daubney said.
“We’ve gone from a team of three when we started out in 2005, to now around 56, with the invaluable assistance of a partner who we trust and who shares our values and wants to see this iconic WA business perform on the world stage.
“We have always set out to achieve excellence and this award is evidence that as a small business we are well on our way to achieving that.”
She said the business was keen to expand its market share both over east and internationally and would refocus on achieving that goal now that border restrictions had eased both domestically and globally.
“We have the capacity to achieve considerable growth focusing on our core milk, cream and flavoured milk range and to maintain the high standard for which we are recognised,” Mrs Daubney said.
The farm, based in Northcliffe in the South West, produces more than five million litres of milk per year.
The milk is sold in sustainable packaging, made from 35 per cent crushed limestone to reduce its plastic content.
