Researched and co-authored by Ruth.
Free School Milk—first in Lower Hutt and New Zealand
Randwick School, Moera, in June 1935, was the first school in New Zealand to provide students with free milk.
Randwick School opened in 1929 with 233 pupils and first principal, Mr. A. E. Werry. He was concerned at the malnourished and hungry young children attending the school. The Mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. Alexander Roberts, offered to pay for a free supply of milk for the school for the next three years. This cost him 600 pounds a year and by his request he was an anonymous benefactor.
Hutt City Libraries collection
Hutt City Libraries collection
The aim was to improve the to improve the health of children generally and specifically to strengthen their teeth and bones.
Lower Hutt Labour M.P. Walter Nash heard of the scheme and organised for the Health Department to monitor it.
Hutt City Libraries collection
The success of the scheme in improving the children’s health prompted Michael Joseph Savage’s first Labour Government of 1937 to introduce free milk in most schools throughout NZ. Mr Alexander Roberts discontinued funding the free school milk at this point.
Pascoe, John Dobree, 1908-1972 :Photographic albums, prints and negatives. Ref: 1/4-000033-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, NZ. /records/23106268
Pascoe, John Dobree, 1908-1972 :Photographic albums, prints and negatives. Ref: 1/4-000030-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, NZ. /records/23185540
This scheme continued until 1967 when the second National Government discontinued it due to cost.
Tauranga City Libraries other collection.
Bibliography
Alexander Turnbull Library: images
National Library: Papers past nz.
Moera: sleeping in the sun. Johnston, Warwick.
Randwick School Golden Jubilee, 1929-1979. Booklet.