Our Story

FOUNDED

We are Steve Ronalds and Sallie Jones, Co-Founders of Gippsland Jersey, a boutique milk brand born out of our own personal challenges during the 2016 milk crisis.

We gave birth to a milk company that we never intended to start:  in a nutshell Steve had lost faith in the dairy industry when the dairy crisis happened and he wanted to ensure that he could make his farm sustainable into the future 

Sallie’s life was tipped upside down when her entrepreneurial dairy farming dad took his own life just a few weeks before the dairy crisis. 

Steve was not sure if he wanted to or even could continue farming in the landscape of the time and Sallie was heartbroken but with a fire in her heart to make some positive change.

When we embarked on the Gippsland Jersey journey - which literally involved a few coffees, some basic budgets and loose chats over a 3 month time frame we hit ‘go’ button.  We quickly came up with our united pillars. 

Our partnership thrives on mutual respect, open communication, unwavering dedication, and lots of sacrifice for us and our families.

Gippsland Jersey will celebrate 9 years this September and we seem to have navigated many hurdles, but each time, we've persevered thanks to the sheer grace of God.

 

VALUES

Our business partnership flourishes because our morals and values are aligned. Without this alignment, our business would be rife with conflict. Our brand is driven by values and heart, anchored by three pillars that give purpose to all we do:

 

1. Ensuring fair prices for farmers.

2. Committing to social change in rural health & wellbeing and suicide prevention.

3. Promoting kindness.

 

These pillars, along with the invaluable and very significant support and contributions of our families (sometimes massive sacrifices!), farmers, factory staff, admin team, stockists, and loyal customers, have guided us on our journey. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support 🙏🏻

 

GIPPSLAND JERSEY 2.0: INNOVATING TO CHANGE THE GAME

The Gippsland Jersey journey hasn't been smooth sailing. Just 18 months after starting up, the contract milk processor decided they wouldn’t process the milk anymore. However, this setback was turned into an opportunity by a crowdfunding campaign where people were asked to pre-purchased bottles of milk to help fund the breathing of new life into Sallie's Dad's dilapidated factory in Lakes Entrance so that the milk could be processed in house on their own terms.

THE MODERN MILKMAN/WOMAN CHANGING THE INDUSTRY

We operated the Lakes Entrance processing facility has been operating successfully for a number of years, Gippsland Jersey has been able to be innovating continuously to meet demand for delicious and fair value-added dairy products. With much energy, a creative and a collaborative spirit, the now much bigger team has been creating new products, and finding new markets. And it's paying off, with lots of growth and we now have four local dairy farming families supplying Gippsland Jersey with their delicious and premium milk.

This is just the first of many chapters to come of the Gippsland Jersey story. Chapter 3 involved the purchase of an existing Cheese factory  - Europa Cheese. This was a bold and exciting step with room for lots more growth and opportunities. This left Lakes Entrance factory used as a DC for deliveries and a clean slate for our most exciting opportunity......coming one day hopefully soon!

   With an ongoing commitment to premium jersey milk products that ensures everyone in the chain is respected. From the dedicated farmers to the amazing shops selling or serving them Gippsland Jersey is not just about milk, but also about promoting a fair and sustainable industry, mental health and suicide prevention, and spreading kindness..

And did you know that jersey milk has some amazing benefits? Find out more here