“I will always encourage people to support the battlers and small businesses because they are what our country was built on and will die without,” said Milko on his Facebook post on the 24th November, 2023.
This was at the end of a, self-announced ‘long winded’, post advising the imminent closure of Central Queensland Dairy Fresh. A post shared with over 10000 people, over half having engaged with it. Something unusually high for long winded posts on social media.
Goliath wins again!
Possibly you have heard of the biblical story, David and Goliath. And how David, with only a slingshot (and his personal faith), knocked out, the much larger in size and strength, Goliath.
Unfortunately, in modern business, Goliath (big business) triumphs often, including against smaller businesses and individuals. And yet despite this knowledge and the likelihood of failure is greater than success, many ‘David’s’ still sling a faith stone, and start their own independent business.
As was the case with Central Queensland Dairy Fresh back in 2019. I remember writing about the start of this business. How necessity to survive the supermarket wars, which arguably led to the gate price of milk falling to mere subsistence levels (if that), and prolonged drought led many dairy farmers to leave the industry. In time twenty-one of them took a leap of faith, getting behind Central Queensland United Dairies, producing, and marketing their own milk. Including the Radel’s from Coalstoun Lakes.
I am sure this cooperative had lots of hurdles to jump over, in getting started, more than they originally imagined. But, buoyed by public enthusiasm and support for a ‘local’ product they made some headway, grabbing some market share at the expense of the bigger, multi-national supplier(s). However, getting to the next level, where you have greater control over the processing and distribution, is more a barrier than a hurdle.
These barriers include big business, either a direct competitor, bank, customer, transporter, even an e-commerce company. A Goliath, thinking there is a more profitable path to take, by taking the little guy, in this case Central Queensland Dairy Fresh out of the equation, by not accepting their milk after the small regional based processor, they were using, decided to close. After all, it is just business.
But according to Milko, it is more than just business, it is (battlers and small businesses) “what our country was built on and will die without.” Sound a bit sensationalist!
Not for a 5th generation dairy farmer, ending a 117-year tradition. That history, would lead you to make strong emotive statements. Statements we should take notice of.
Did you know Australia is now a net importer of dairy products? Can you believe that, Australia the talked-up food bowl for Asia, imports more dairy products than we export, according to Milko.
The country, physically, will not die, but it will change, and we are conduits of that change, by our actions. Big business will make these actions automatic, as convenience is championed with new apps, which will take you directly to the web site that has the cheapest product/service you are desiring (perhaps even before you consciously knew you desired it). Web sites (businesses) possibly owned by the search engine giving you this convenience.
Is that a country you want to live in? Where David has got no chance, the battler, buckley’s.
At least, presently, the spark of hope that we can take on Goliath, have some wins (maybe leave a small bruise), prevails in some of us, despite the reality that is continually thrust upon us. Take away that faith, what are we left with? What does our country become (becoming)?
This ‘spirit’ is perhaps what Milko is referring to, when he says, “our country is built on and will die without.”
What does one do though, boycott the big multi-national milk processors? As Milko correctly points out, the first ones to be affected are the battling dairy producers who supply to these processors, not their billionaire owners. And let’s face it, after the enthusiasm to feel part of a movement dissipates, as the inconvenience of sourcing an alternative starts to become an irritation, most boycotts are hardly effective in the long term.
What we can do is to make a conscious decision to support independent businesses, when we can. Not spend more, but budget a fixed percentage of current disposable income to be spent with independent businesses. Perhaps a big call with current cost of living pressures, but posting tearful emojis on Facebook posts of independent businesses about to close, does not change anything.
Like the spirit of Christmas, may the spirit to take the independent path, dare to realise the dream, believe David can stand his ground against Goliath, no matter the odds, never fade, or be taken away. Hope you have a great Christmas.
