Covid-19, Australia: Brownes brings back the milkman

“Staying at home is becoming a necessity,” says Brownes spokesperson Natalie Sarich-Dayton. “And we know that a lot of families have been struggling to get even their basic groceries. It is now more important than ever for communities to support each other.”

People can put out their laundry basket at the front of the house and the Brownes vendor will drop off the milk into the laundry basket. Photo: Christine Cann

Online order

Brownes has developed an online portal to order the milk. Milk will be delivered the following day. The company announced the trial on its Facebook page, and has been inundated with orders from Perth families wanting their milk home delivered.

According to Sarich-Dayton reinstating the milk delivery service has struck a chord of nostalgia amongst the people of Perth. “They fondly remember getting their milk delivered to their doorstep, which was decades ago.”

And there is a lot of relief, she says. “Milk is one of those essential items that can cause stress in the household when you run out,” said Sarich-Dayton. Brownes has a network of deliverers, that are mostly run by small family businesses. They deliver the orders.

Coronavirus: Masks and gloves

The delivery drivers wear masks and gloves to deliver the milk. “They text the household to say they are coming – people can put out their laundry basket at the front of the house and the vendor will drop off the milk into the laundry basket,” adds Sarich-Dayton.

There are more than 8 products that can be home delivered including milk, yoghurt and juice. Delivery is free after a minimum spend of $10. “Life isn’t normal right now for a lot of people, everything is upside down. If we can play a role in giving back that one little bit of normalcy, like having milk for your morning cup of tea or milk to go on the cereal, then we want to be able to do that.”

Brownes Dairy is Australia’s oldest dairy company, established in 1886. Photo: Brownes Dairy

Positive responses

The company says it’s overwhelmed with the positive response about the return of the ‘Milko’. Brownes has written on Facebook: “Our home delivery trial has blown all of our expectations out of the water!”

Brownes Dairy is Australia’s oldest dairy company, established in 1886. Brownes Dairy operates out of its main site in Balcatta with a second site in Brunswick collecting about 150 million litres of milk each year from more than 50 dairy farms located in Australia’s South West.

For more info: Brownes