Under the leadership of the husband-wife partnership of Erica and Nick Dibden, Tilba Dairy has had a profound influence on the local economy, supporting the local workforce and town.
Their business a great example of our industry and dairy farmers and companies generating over $15 billion in sales for the Australian economy and supporting more than 70,000 jobs.
Revitalising rural communities
In addition to their dairy farming, Tilba Dairy has evolved its business model to include cheese production and retail operations. This vertical integration of the business has allowed it to thrive and continue to support the local community.
The dairy's presence helps preserve the town’s historical and cultural identity, which is deeply rooted in its agricultural past.
By maintaining traditional farming practices and producing high-quality, local products, Tilba Dairy reinforces the town's unique character and attracts tourists, further boosting the local economy.
Sustaining the local workforce and economy
Tilba Dairy plays an essential role in sustaining the local economy by providing employment opportunities and supporting local businesses. The business directly employs around 30 people, plus the benefits of flow on jobs from their operations.
"If you took the factory out of Tilba, you would take the lifeblood out of Tilba," says Erica Dibden, highlighting how crucial the dairy is to the town’s vitality.
The factory not only supports direct employment but also plays an important role in supporting additional economic activities, such as contractors and logistics companies as their product is distributed widely across Victoria as well as across the borders into Sydney and Canberra.
The broader impact on regional agriculture
Beyond its immediate economic contributions, Tilba Dairy has a broader impact for regionally focused agricultural businesses, acting as an example of how small-scale farming can be both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
The dairy’s success story is one of resilience, adaptability and finding new ways to evolve the business.
Erica reflects on the challenges they’ve faced, from droughts to economic pressures, and how they’ve overcome them by staying true to their values and focusing on what they do best – producing high-quality dairy products.
"We're different in that we're marrying two aspects together so we can control everything from the soil through to the customer," she explains, highlighting the holistic approach that has been key to their success.
The Dibden family are incredibly passionate about the role their business plays in their hometown, and the importance of dairy to small towns just like Tilba, across Australia’s dairy regions.
"The economic viability of having a business like ours is immeasurable and invaluable," Erica says.
Profitability of farm businesses is core to the success of the Australian dairy industry, enabling it to contribute strongly to rural and regional economies, for both employment and as an earner of export income.
The Australian Dairy Industry Sustainability Framework goals include a commitment to creating a vibrant industry that rewards dairy workers and their families, communities, business and investors.
Watch the full Tilba Dairy story here: What We Discovered About Tilba Dairy's Community Influence - YouTube
This is a case study extracted from the Humans of Agriculture’s partnership with the NSW Government, Dairy NSW, and Dairy Australia. This was made possible by the Australian and NSW Government’s Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program.
