A photograph of Lambert Lieshout carting milk cans in the Longwarry district.
We often hear how technology is changing our lives forever. But, of course, it has always been this way, just as the invention of the wheel changed the way we cart goods.
It was the late 1960s when the Longwarry Dairymen's Cooperative made a major technology change that changed lives. It became one of the first local factories to move to refrigerated milk handling and farmers were encouraged - with some financial support - to install refrigerated milk vats on their farms.
This meant that the factory could reduce the number of times they had to go to farms to collect milk. It also meant that they could move to bulk handling of milk with large refrigerated milk trucks.
This made a huge change in the lives of many, as the familiar rattling sound of milk cans being transported through the main street from farms to the factory was gone, along with the contracts of several local carriers who complemented factory drivers in collecting the milk each day.
Fortunately, most of the contractors were also general carriers of merchandise, allowing their businesses to continue.
One of the most popular of these local carriers from Longwarry was Lambert Lieshout. He carted milk to the factory along with the drivers he employed.
Lambert also had a merchandise carrier business.
He was born in Heeswijk, Holland. Like so many, his family chose to leave the devastation and reconstruction of post war Europe.
Lambert was 19-years-old when he arrived in Sydney in 1954 with his father Geradus Lieshout, mother Greta and eight siblings.
Initially the family went into Greta Migrant Camp, Mussellbrook for six months.
Whilst in New South Wales, Geradus was given the opportunity to share farm on Edgars Rd, Longwarry. So he bought a truck, loaded it with all the family goods and moved to Longwarry.
It was this truck that started the milk cartage business that Lambert, who was already in the carrier business, took over after his father died in 1966.
Lambert left an indelible mark on the life of Longwarry before his death at 88-years-old on May 27, 2023.
Many descendants of Geradus Lieshout still live and contribute to life in the district today.
Photograph and information courtesy of the Longwarry and District Historical Society with assistance from Liz Jensz.
The society is dedicated to preserving the history of the 3816 postcode, including Labertouche, Longwarry North and Modella.
Visit longwarryhistory.org to find out more.