VICFarming
Cobden
Forest clearing made way for one of Victoria's dairy districts.
1860sTimber and farm settlement grows · district centre emerges
WHAT STARTED IT
Timber workers and selectors occupied the Heytesbury forest during the 1860s, forming a village that supplied clearing, road and farm work.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
The railway arrived in 1892 and helped butter factories send produce to market. Dairying became the town's defining industry. The former Bonlac dairy plant closed; another processor continued part of the district manufacturing role.
TURNING POINTS
1860sTimber and selection settlement gathers.
1885Town is named Cobden.
1892Railway improves dairy access.
2010The former Bonlac dairy plant closed; another processor continued part of the district manufacturing role.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A western Victorian dairy-service town with farm suppliers, food processing and community facilities for the surrounding district.