Minister backs Go Local campaign for our dairy farmers

Queensland dairy farmers will be celebrated as the 'Cream of Australia' in a new state-wide promotional campaign launched at the Ekka today.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman launched the Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation’s Go Local Dairy, urging Queenslanders to buy Queensland dairy products.

“Most of our dairy farmers are also your small businesses and we know that many of them are doing it tough,” Ms Fentiman said.

“This partnership between government and industry will highlight the exceptional quality of our wonderful dairy products.

“I know I look for Queensland dairy when I go shopping and I encourage everybody to support our farmers and the small businesses associated with them by stocking up on our dairy.

“This campaign is a spin-off of our very successful Go Local initiative launched as part of a $4 million recovery package after the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017.

“Queenslanders responded to our call to Go Local and support small businesses then and the groundswell of public support helped boost economic and community recovery.

“We are asking Queenslanders to do the same again when they buy milk, cheese, yoghurt, in fact all dairy goods.”

Ms Fentiman said the Office of Small  Business $290,000 partnership with the QDO was supporting the state’s dairy industry through a promotional campaign involving traditional and social media.

“We’re also supporting farmers with workshops and mentoring about how to best promote their products, and about how to diversify their product range.

“This sector is very important to Queensland with small businesses involved in the dairy industry spread throughout the state from Far North Queensland and the Central Burnett, to the Darling Downs, the Scenic Rim and the Lockyer Valley,” she said.

“Queensland labels proving popular with Go Local converts include Maleny, 4Real Milk and Mungalli Creek but they are just a few.”

Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation President Brian Tessman said the Go Local Dairy campaign encouraged consumers to value Queensland-sourced fresh milk products.

“Consumers want to do the right thing and support Queensland brands and Queensland dairy farmers,” Mr Tessman said.

“By Going Local you know where your milk is coming from and you put money back into the communities where it was farmed and produced.”

Visitors to the Ekka can try their hand at milking a cow and cast their vote for the Queensland Dairy Farmers ‘Cream of Australia’ cutest cow competition.

Queenslanders are also invited to use the hashtag #GoLocalQld when sharing their Go Local dairy stories on social media.

Media contacts:

Minister Fentiman Bernadette Condren 0417 296 116

Queensland Dairy Organisation Sarah Ferguson 0424 416 317

Go Local Dairy