Donald has a population of 1500 – which means there are 1500 salespeople there to promote the product.

The saying has proven true, with the town’s Vietnamese ties playing a major role in Kooka’s latest expansion.

The businesses has been exporting its goods to Vietnam for about a month.

The growth of the business is a far cry from the flailing company that nearly folded in 2012 because of dwindling sales.

Manager Graeme Harris said the business had rebuilt, with strong sales and employment.

‘‘We’ve worked our way out of it, with good management and good direction,’’ he said.

‘‘We’re in a strong place to do export.

‘‘We’ve been exporting to China for one year and Vietnam one month, plus the Philippines as well.’’

Production manager Damien O’Toole attended trade fairs in China and built connections with Chinese and Vietnamese importers.

This led to the exportation of the business’s cookies.

Mr Harris said Donald’s population included Vietnamese and Filipino people.

He said this encouraged the business to forge ties with those countries.

Kooka’s has always had a strong focus on its community.

It employs about 20 people from throughout the region at its Donald factory, including from Watchem, St Arnaud and Rupanyup.

The company’s shareholders are from Donald.

And in its darker times, it was the community the business turned to for support.

Now, Kooka’s Country Cookies are available at supermarkets, fruit stores, through food services and at motels.

Mr Harris said exporting the product meant the company could potentially create new jobs.

‘‘We have two shifts now,’’ he said.

In the Wimmera business, there are no major pay rises or unnecessary entitlements for management.

‘‘I’m driving the oldest car in the carpark,’’ Mr Harris said.

Kooka’s also focuses on supporting Australian-made.

The business originally used imported cherries but changed its practices to support Australian-made.

‘‘All our raw ingredients are from Australia,’’ Mr Harris said.

He said the business did not receive government support.

‘‘We don’t get the money but we have big ideas,’’ he said.

One idea includes growing the Kookas Natural brand and eventually opening a factory at Donald.

Manufacturing for the Kooka’s Country Cookies little sibling brand is currently contracted out.

Mr Harris said he looked forward to what was to come. 

‘‘All in all, we believe there’s a future. Three or four years ago, there wasn’t,’’ he said.