1944 - 1994 Gisborne Milk Co Opt 50 Years

A large function was held at the Gisborne Hotel to celebrate 50 years of the Gisborne Co-Operative Milk Producers' Association Ltd which in September 1992 changed its name to Gisborne Milk Co-Op Ltd. It was a great get together for directors, shareholders, suppliers, staff and friends who were involved in the fascinating history of the milk industry. In 1944 the objective of Gisborne Milk was to supply the Gisborne region with an adequate supply of milk, an achievement which now includes the East Coast & Wairoa areas. The company played its part in the survival of this area when in March 1988 29,000 litres of water was packaged in 1 litre cartons for use in schools and hospitals during Cyclone Bola. Cartoned water was also made available around the town as the Gisborne water supply was unfit to drink. The introduction of cartons extended the refrigerated life of milk to ten days and was easier to handle than bottles which effectively ended the era of milk bottles in Gisborne.

All photos courtesy Stephen Jones Photography

Pauline & Ken Cooper O.B.E. and Past Chairman chatting to Harvey Johanson the present General Manager.

Present Staff who attended the function: Back: Chris West (left), Kevin Lemaire, Gaine Carrington, Peter Corrin, Rod Cutts, Kelly McCafferty, Neville Wagner, Peter Young & Barrie Johnstone. Front: Christine Currie, Pam Dudley, Marie Moffat, Harvey Johanson, Andrea Galbraith, Christine Shardlow, Maryanne Dobbs & Taylor Pokai.

Harvey Johanson (centre) & Christine Currie (right) with past Staff. Kay Pritchard (left). Heather Marshall, Debbie Spooner, Barbara Jones, Suzanne Wilson & Florence Brown.

Gisborne Milk were first to install a fully automated Tetra-Pak line and the first to use an ultra-filtration method for manufacturing milks with high calcium and high protein content. The Company is one of the few independent milk stations left due to its innovative approach to the milk market.

Past & Present Directors
Stuart Bell (left) a present Director, Tony Bielski a past Director, Terrence O'Sullivan a present Director, Peter Steele the present Chairman of Gisborne Milk Co-Op & Colin Stevens a past Director. Front: Des Mills a present Director, Ken Cooper a past Chairman, Campbell Parkinson a past Chairman, David Mills a past Director & Wallace Gray a present Director.

Present Shareholders
Allan Parkinson, Stuart Bell, Colin Kerr, Tony Bielski, Terrence O'Sullivan, Jim Taylor, Tim Powdrell & Wallace Gray. Middle: Des Mills, Ken Cooper, Peter Steele (Chairman of Gisborne Milk Co-Op since 1992), Annette Parkinson, Carol Bell, Mary Vette, Shirley McDowell & Ashby Crombie. Front: Grace Mills, Pauline Cooper, Beth Bielski, Elizabeth Powdrell, Honor Steele, Pat Taylor, Valerie O'Sullivan & Doris Gray.

Andrea Galbraith Gisborne Milk Co-Op Financial Controller, Andrew Galbraith, Valerie & Terrence O'Sullivan, Stuart & Carol Bell. Terrance & Stuart are both Directors who live in Wairoa.

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The Gisborne Photo News

Vol 24 : July 1, 1995

1944 - 1994 Gisborne Milk Co Opt 50 Years