Living History

The Milk Bar

1956 was the same year that television came to Australia. Not many people had a television set, but there was one place that did – our local Milk Bar.

Looking back, the Milk Bar probably made a great profit from having a TV set in the window, because at any given time, there were children and parents standing outside of the shop watching the news and the Olympics, eating chocolate, lollies and the like.

It was wonderful! Betty Cuthbert, Dawn Fraser, the Australian team marching in the opening ceremony, and the one event I always wanted to attend – the Australian fencing team with Cross, Sichel, McKenzie, McCowage and Buckham.

I am not sure if it was during this time, but I remember in the early months of television, I would go to my friend’s house, and we would watch the test pattern. It had a large circle with a grid-like pattern on it, and after about half an hour the news would tune in.

I think these Olympics were a key element to the progression of the city of Melbourne.

Michael, Mona Vale, New South Wales

Look at more contributions:

previous | next