A Southern Highlands family has been forced out of an area it has served for decades.
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Avoca's Hayes family has proudly been a part of the local dairy industry for 107 years, however they have decided to move away to greener pastures.
They're the latest dairy farmers to leave the Highlands, in what is a long-term trend.
Thirty years ago there were more than 100 dairy farms in the area. When the family leaves, there will be six.
Colin, Nancy, Stephen, Evan and Kylie Hayes of Avoca's Hayes Family Farms will move to Marrawah on the west coast of Tasmania in September.
They will be joined by Evan and Kylie's children 21-year-old Jack, 17-year-old Harrison, 15-year-old Jessica and 11-year-old Peggy.
Tasmania will offer the Avoca dairy business a greater chance at longevity.
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The family was previously producing about 2.4 million litres of milk but when the drought hit, this dropped to about 1.8 million litres.
The family has also watched their herd go from 400 cows to about 180 cows.
Kylie Hayes said there were three main factors which influenced the decision to move.
"You've got the cost of production, Highlands [land] prices and the drought," Mrs Hayes said.
Her husband Evan Hayes said there was no quick fix for the dairy industry.
"It's only going to come down to rain," Mr Hayes said.
"The price of milk going up will help but if the price goes up, the first thing they'll do is put the price of the feed up.
"It's going to be a slow process and a long recovery for the local farmers who do stay."
The family feels optimistic about their move will continue the business started by Colin's family in June of 1912.
The family started by farming vegetables and expanded to milking a small herd of 12 cows.
This grew to more than 400 cows over the years.
Colin has seen many changes over the years from hand-milking in a small three-cow dairy and a six bay walk-through dairy to a semi-automated 32 aside herringbone.
Nancy's side of the family came to Avoca in 1856.
Her great-great-grandfather built houses in the district and travelled around until he bought a dairy farm.
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The family milked cows there until 1993 because they had properties out west.
Nancy met Colin and the pair married in October 1966.
The couple had four children including Trevor, Stephen, Deborah and Evan.
Colin and his wife Nancy have been an active part of the Avoca community for many years.
The two are life members of the Avoca Public School P&C committee and the Avoca Hall committee.
Nancy and Colin have also been heavily involved with Fitzroy Falls Church, Avoca Women's Club, Rural Fire Service, the neighbourhood watch, Robertson Show, the Civil Defence and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The family's legacy will continue through new ventures such as a potential butter line and a farm stay accommodation in Tasmania.
Their work will also be carried on for another generation through Jack and Harrison who have joined the business.
