Michaela Meade
After 62 years in the dairy industry, Merv and Mary Williamson are winding down into retirement.
The couple own the last dairy within the City of Whittlesea, and said when they started, there were around 100 dairy farms.
“We started off when we were young,” Merv said.
“It was a different show altogether when there were 100 dairy farmers.
“[We’d go] to the Mernda market… you took all your calves and cows down to the market… and met with the other farmers.”
Mary said the market was “an amazing meeting place”.
Fast-forwarded to 2021, the couple – married as long as they’ve been in the dairy business – have given away their heifers to family, so they might continue to produce milk.
This is part of their gradual process to stop producing milk for the community, and enjoying some rest.
“We’re sort of continuing on until we run out of cows, really,” Merv said.
“All of the cows are getting a bit ancient… we’ll get another couple of years out of them, but then that’ll be it.”
Merv and Mary said their dairy journey over the years has seen them work with some great people and organisations, including at the Whittlesea Agricultural Society and Floridia Cheese.
“We’ve had a wonderful association with [Floridia Cheese],” Mary said.
“We’ve worked with [the Whittlesea show] for years too… some great memories there.”
The couple have raised children, and welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren throughout their time as dairy farmers.
Merv and Mary said they are “very grateful” for the strong years they have had.
“It’s been good to us, it’s been good to our family,” Mary said.
“I don’t think we could ask for anything more, really.”
