‘Going ahead’: King Island Dairy going from strength to strength

The King Island Dairy is advertising for two apprentices just a year after the iconic factory was slated to close, with morale and sales on the up. WHAT’S NEXT >>

Liberal candidate for Braddon Gavin Pearce with King Island Dairy co-owners Graeme Wilson and Nick Dobromilsky. Picture: Elise Kaine

The King Island Dairy is advertising for two apprentices just a year after the iconic factory was slated to close.

New co-owner Nick Dobromilsky said both morale, and sales, were up at the 120-year-old cheese factory.

The dairy is focused on creating a sustainable team for the future and Mr Dobromilsky said the new electrical apprentice and fitting apprentice would be carefully selected.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff was on King Island to visit workers and see the “huge investment” the company had put into infrastructure upgrades.

The Liberal government provided $10 million to the new owners, including 10-years of payroll tax relief and stamp duty concessions.

King Island Dairy co-owner Nick Dobromilsky. Picture: Elise Kaine

The cost of various committed industry and support packages, including for the King Island Dairy, were recognised in Treasury’s pre-election financial outlook as risks and sensitivities for the budget.

Mr Rockliff said the government had to be “pragmatic” when providing support to companies, but a “relatively small” investment could secure hundreds of jobs and the future of families and individuals.

“Now is not the time for ideology,” Mr Rockliff said.

“It’s a time for being pragmatic and sensible and offering a small amount of support relative to the huge cost it would be to see closures of mines, closures of Nyrstar, or the closure of the King Island Dairy.”

King Island Dairy co-owners Graeme Wilson and Nick Dobromilsky. Picture: Elise Kaine

Co-owner Graeme Wilson said the Liberal government gave the duo a “boost” by offering to reimburse payroll tax.

“We’re one of two, maybe three, businesses on the island that actually pay payroll tax.

“The dairy has to employ a certain amount of staff to receive the payroll tax reimbursement.

“The fortunate thing is we are now employing more people, so the payroll tax will continue to grow and so does the economy here,” Mr Wilson said.

Snow Denby, truck driver for King Island dairy. Picture: Elise Kaine

King Island-born truck driver Snow Denby has worked at the dairy for more than 15 years and he was glad to see the future of the dairy secured.

“I’m glad these people come along, it’s good to see something going ahead instead of going backwards on the island,” Mr Denby said.