Dumbalk

Gazing across the rolling green hills, we find ourselves in Dumbalk. Dumbalk is a small town nestled in South Gippsland, about halfway between Mirboo North and Meeniyan. The name itself, Dumbalk, whispers of a “bleak or chilly” past, borrowed from the Aboriginal language according to Bunce’s 1859 work. A post office bearing this name was established in a settler’s home in 1890, marking a significant moment in Dumbalk’s history. Dumbalk is located approximately 153 kilometers southeast of Melbourne. You can easily reach it by driving along the South Gippsland Highway and turning left onto Nerrena Road at Leongatha. In the late 1870s, selectors ventured south from Moe and Morwell, settling in the Strzelecki Ranges and eventually reaching the Tarwin Valley. The land along the river was quickly occupied, but the area remained isolated. Supplies were transported by packhorse or on foot from Morwell. Clearing the dense forest was a monumental task. Yet by 1885, crops like hops and arrowroot were thriving, later followed by onions. Sheep grazing was common. But dairying, along with pig raising, became the most profitable farming activity. Initially, butter was produced on individual farms. But in 1893, a dairy cooperative was formed, and a butter factory was built, supplied by several creameries. A settlement grew around this butter factory. A hall was constructed in 1900, and a general store opened in 1904. Dairying remained the heart of the valley, with advancements like herd testing in 1922 and an artificial breeding center in 1957. New butter factories were built in 1903 and 1930. In 1941, cheese production began at the factory. And in 1958, a skim milk spray drying plant was installed to create calf food. By 1964, refrigerated bulk tankers collected all the milk. Starting in the early 1960s, several mergers led to Murray Goulburn’s ownership of the cooperative. Production gradually ceased, and the factory eventually closed, with all milk then transported to Leongatha. Today, Dumbalk serves as a service center for the agricultural community. You can find garages, stock carriers, agricultural contractors, fertilizer spreaders, builders, plumbers, and even a veterinarian based in the town. There’s an Anglican church built in 1937, an infant welfare center, and a kindergarten. The primary school now functions alongside Meeniyan as the Tarwin Valley School. Dumbalk holds a rich history tied to the land and its people.