Our farmers are the heart and soul of Fleurieu Milk Company.
They are also the directors that oversee the company and try to keep everyone in line.
BARRY & MERRIDIE CLARKE
Barry and Merridie Clarke are owners of Roslyn Vale, a dairy farm that has been part of Merridie’s family since 1926. They took over the farm from Merridie’s parents in 1993 becoming the third generation to continue the work.
Barry, better known as Bazz has always been a full-time dairy farmer, who first started milking cows in 1976 with his brother who later moved to Lucindale to run a beef and sheep property.
Bazz stayed with dairy, and along with Merridie has spent decades growing Roslyn Vale into the farm it is today. It is now home to over 350 Jersey cows grazing across more than 400 acres.
They raised three children on the farm and are now proud grandparents. Bazz hopes Roslyn Vale will one day be passed down to the next generation continuing the family tradition.
In 2006, a simple idea grew into something bigger than they ever expected. That idea became Fleurieu Milk Company. Bazz reflects, “Our biggest challenge moving forward is not losing sight of where we started and who helped us get here. It’s a little scary to think the decisions we make now directly affect more than 100 families who work with us today”.
GEOFF & LOUISE HUTCHINSON
Geoff was born and raised in Myponga, spending his entire working life close to home. Whilst Louise moved from Adelaide around 1977. The pair first met at school but it wasn’t until later that their relationship truly began.
Geoff has been involved in the dairy industry for close to 50 years. He started his career with local farmers Noel and Vicki Rogers before taking on a share farming role with Chris and Karen Royans at Windy Vale Holsteins in 1988.
Geoff remained there for more than 32 years and during that time the farm became a second home. Today, Windy Vale is in good hands with Rob and Bec, who have continued the work Geoff dedicated so much of his life to.
Louise also has strong ties to dairying. Her parents began milking in Myponga in 1977 and continued for over two decades. Over the years, Louise has worked in retail, helped run the local general store, filled in at various post offices and raised their four children. Today Louise enjoys spending more time with her grandchildren.
Their children Carly, Ben, Toni and Kirsten all have contributed throughout Fleurieu Milks journey at different points. Carly remains as the current Central Markets Site Manager whilst Ben, Toni and Kirsten have now found their own path in different industries.
After many years in Myponga, Geoff and Louise recently made the move to Normanville, while remaining close to the Myponga region and community they love.
CHRIS & KAREN ROYANS
Chris grew up in Glengowrie and began his working life with the Department of Lands before becoming an abalone diver. His diving took him all over the South Australian coastline, with Cape Jervis eventually becoming his home.
Karen, who grew up in Belair worked as a receptionist in Adelaide. The two married in 1972 and later moved to the coast, settling into a small fishing shack while Chris continued diving.
They raised two children, Kristy and Luke, and are now proud grandparents, with all the family still living in or around Cape Jervis.
In 1988, after Chris retired from fishing they decided to leap into something new and bought their first dairy in Myponga. From the beginning, Geoff and Louise Hutchinson managed the Windy Vale farm. With their expertise and dedication, the dairy went on to earn Master Breeder status and built a reputation as one of the best stud farms in the state.
Since then, they’ve purchased more land near Cape Jervis to grow hay and silage for the dairy. The Cape Jervis property also supports the dairy as a run-off block. Two local workers manage the farming side one of whom has been with the family since 1989.
Their daughter Kristy now manages production at their abalone export facility in Cape Jervis while Luke has taken over diving on the family’s abalone licence, carrying forward the tradition his dad started decades ago.
