Old Butter Factory Museum (Busselton) - Brochures & Flyers

This butter factory building was opened in 1918. The State Government, through the Agricultural Department, in 1926 South West Dairy Produce Co-operative became the owners and the name changed to "Sunny West". Development of the Group Settlement Scheme in the area caused a great upsurge in production, as there were 735 farms in the Busselton district by 1926. Then came the Great Depression of the early 1930's; the 1939-45 War; and the boom period which followed when the factory reached peak production of about 30 tons per week. It also operated an iceworks, supplying the town and fishermen with ice, before the days of household refrigeration.

High overheads during the off-season coupled with more efficient road transport caused the closure of this and several other factories, and operations were centralised at Boyanup. Busselton ceased making butter in 1952. A dried milk plant was installed, but a slump in overseas markets made the process unprofitable and production stopped. The premises served as a depot for trucks and tankers until operations ceased altogether in 1973.

The building is vested in the Shire of Busselton, which has leased part of it to the Busselton Historical Society.

The Museum opened in 1975.