History

HISTORY OF ARCHIES CREEK

Archies Creek is believed to have been named after Alex Archies, a swag who camped under a large gum tree on the banks of the creek where he had come to survey the area and investigate its suitability for a butter factory.

Early records indicated that a factory was established at Archies Creek in the late 1800’s but very little development actually took place in the township until after the turn of the century. In the early 1900’s the only business in Archies Creek was the Melbourne Chilled Butter Factory which was privately owned and later sold to the Wonthaggi Dairy Produce Company in 1903. This factory was the lifeblood of Archies Creek and provided employment for over 200 people at the peak of its operation and was the forefront of dairy factory development in Australia. As demand grew, due to the location, transportation of such large quantities became an issue, and the solution to this problem revolutionised the dairy industry; to transport dairy products in bulk tankers. The success of Archies Creek’s bulk handling became a part of dairy history, and remains that way today.

The establishment currently known as ‘Archies on the Creek’ has previously been the home of United Electrical Engineering Pty Ltd (1996-2006) and Bass Coast Shire Offices (1979-1995). This establishment was officially opened by the honorable  A.J. Hunt MLC on the 5th of April 1979, the 50th Anniversary of the Shire of Bass.