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In the early 1950s, the Australian Government introduced a scheme for school children to receive free milk. This scheme lasted until the early 1970s and was then scrapped. The programme started at the beginning of the 20th century with all children in kindergarten, infant, and primary schools receiving free milk to improve their nutrition and general health. The idea originated in Britain in the 1920s and some schemes, funded by private benefactors, were operating in Sydney as early as 1924.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Introduction of free milk in schools in Australia | 1951 |
| Discontinuation of free milk in schools in Australia | 1973 |
| Reintroduction of free milk in schools in Australia | 1994 |
| Cost of the program in 1951 | $72,000 |
| Cost of the program in 1969 | Over $10 million |
| Average amount of milk per student | One third of a pint |
| States where the program was implemented | All except Queensland |
| Early schemes in Sydney | As early as 1924 |
| Early schemes in New South Wales | 1930s |
| Early schemes in Victoria | Winter only, before 1951 |
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What You'll Learn
The free milk scheme in Australian schools was introduced in 1951
The idea of providing free milk to schoolchildren originated in Britain in the 1920s, and similar schemes were already operating in Australia before the federal scheme was introduced. For example, in Sydney as early as 1924, some schools provided cheap milk, with children paying sixpence a week. In the 1930s, there were increasing calls for school milk in Australia, with companies indicating their willingness to supply milk to schools at reduced rates.
By the 1950s, the Australian government had decided to introduce a scheme to provide free milk to school children. This scheme lasted until the early 1970s when it was scrapped due to a report that deemed it poor value for money. The scheme was discontinued under the Whitlam government in 1973.
There are mixed feelings about the free milk scheme. Some people have fond memories of the milk, while others recall it becoming warm and unappetising. Some believe that the scheme was beneficial for their health, while others claim it put them off milk forever. Despite the abolition of the scheme, there have been calls to revive it, especially for disadvantaged schools, as research shows that many children arrive at school without having eaten breakfast, which can impact their learning and attendance.
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The scheme was discontinued in 1973
The Australian government introduced a scheme for school children to receive free milk in the 1950s. The scheme was discontinued in 1973.
The Commonwealth Schools' Free Milk Scheme was introduced in 1951 and provided one-third of a pint of whole milk per day to primary school children throughout Australia. The scheme was initially introduced to improve the nutrition and general health of school children.
However, by 1970, the government began to question the benefits of the programme, wondering if it was producing any positive outcomes beyond turning children off milk. This skepticism was confirmed when a report to the government in 1973 deemed the scheme poor value for money, leading to its discontinuation that same year.
The cost of providing milk had grown significantly over the years, from $72,000 in 1951 to over $10 million in 1969. Despite the eventual discontinuation of the scheme, some Australians fondly recall receiving free milk at school and believe it contributed to their health and strong bones.
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The scheme was reintroduced in 1994
The Commonwealth Schools' Free Milk Scheme was reintroduced in 1994, after being scrapped in the early 1970s. The scheme had been introduced in 1951 by the Menzies government, providing one-third of a pint of whole milk per day to primary school children across Australia.
The origins of school milk plans in Australia can be traced back to the 1920s in Sydney, with some schemes providing cheap, rather than free, milk. By 1925, the Ashfield Dairy in Sydney offered a scheme where children paid sixpence a week for a daily cup of milk. This scheme was successful, with over a million bottles of milk dispensed in its first two years.
The push for free school milk in Australia gained momentum in the 1930s, with dairy companies in New South Wales offering milk to schools at reduced rates. In Victoria, a government-funded scheme supplied milk to schools during winter, but Queensland did not implement any proposed schemes. By the end of 1951, the federal scheme for free milk was operating in all states except Queensland.
The free milk scheme was intended to improve children's nutrition and general health. However, by the 1970s, the government questioned the benefits of the programme, and a report in 1973 deemed it poor value for money, leading to its discontinuation. Despite this, some individuals advocated for its reintroduction, believing it could benefit children's health and support local dairy farmers.
The reintroduction of the scheme in 1994 highlights a continued recognition of the importance of providing children with access to nutritious food, including milk, to support their growth and development.
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The scheme aimed to improve children's nutrition and general health
The scheme to provide free milk in Australian schools was introduced in 1951 by the Menzies government. The aim was to improve children's nutrition and general health. The scheme built on earlier initiatives in some states, such as New South Wales and Victoria, where milk was supplied to schools at reduced rates or during winter only.
The federal scheme, known as the Commonwealth Schools' Free Milk Scheme, provided one-third of a pint of whole milk per day to primary school children throughout Australia. This was in line with similar programs in other countries like New Zealand and Britain, which had been operating since the 1920s and 1930s, respectively.
The free milk program in Australia lasted until 1973 when it was discontinued under the Whitlam government. By this time, the cost of providing the milk had grown significantly, from $72,000 in 1951 to over $10 million in 1969. There were also questions about the effectiveness of the program, with some suggesting it turned children off milk.
Despite the mixed reactions to the taste and temperature of the milk, some individuals who benefited from the scheme have attributed their strong bones and good calcium levels in older age to the daily milk they received at school. They believe it contributed to their overall health and well-being.
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Some students have fond memories of the scheme, while others disliked it
The free milk scheme in Australian schools, which was introduced in 1951, lasted until 1973. While some students hated the free milk they received at school, others have fond memories of the scheme.
One person reminisced about how they looked forward to their milk at "little lunch", and how they never broke a bone in their life, attributing this to the calcium they received from the milk. They also pointed out that reintroducing the scheme could help local dairy farmers. Another person wrote about how they felt strong for their age, with good calcium levels, and put this down to drinking milk at school. They also appreciated the lack of boredom they experienced as a child, and the freedom they had to roam and play outside.
However, not everyone enjoyed the free milk. One person recalled that the milk was often left out in the sun and became warm, which they found nauseating. They even stopped drinking milk at home because of this. Another person agreed that the milk was often warm and "horrible", and that the experience ruined their taste for milk. Some people also pointed out that drinking too much cow's milk can cause allergies and diabetes in those over the age of two.
The scheme was eventually discontinued because it was deemed poor value for money. By 1970, the government was questioning whether the programme was beneficial, as it seemed to be turning children off milk.
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Frequently asked questions
Free milk in schools in Australia was discontinued in 1973 under the Whitlam government.
The Australian Government introduced a scheme for school children to receive free milk in 1951.
The free milk scheme provided one-third of a pint of whole milk per day to primary school children throughout Australia. While some students have fond memories of the free milk, others recall that it was often left out in the sun and tasted bad. There are also mixed opinions on the health impact of the scheme, with some crediting it for their strong bones and good calcium levels, while others believe that free milk turned children off milk.
