Geebung State School celebrated its annual badge ceremony for new school leaders on February 17, with a special surprise for students planned between the new school captain and Australia’s oldest and last operating 100 per cent farmer-owned dairy co-operative.
Young future leader, 10-year-old Mitchell Gray, wrote to Norco after telling his peers in a campaign speech that, if elected, his first order of business would be to turn all the school bubblers into chocolate milk.
Now voted in, he was determined to stay true to his word.
“It was my campaign pledge – and now that I’ve been elected as school captain, I really wanted to deliver on my promise to the school,” Mitchell said.
“Even if I can’t actually put chocolate milk in the bubblers, I still wanted to give everyone in the school a chocolate milk to celebrate. I thought it would make everyone really happy, and it would be the best surprise ever.”
Demonstrating leadership well beyond his years, and not prepared to settle for anything but the best, Mitchell proactively reached out to Norco to help make the magic happen.
As a result, he handed out a free chocolate milk to all 375 students when he received his 2026 school captain’s badge at the official badge ceremony.
Geebung State School principal Tracey Douglas has commended the initiative of the aspiring young leader and his commitment to upholding his campaign promise, extending her thanks to the co-operative for its community support.
“When Mitchell’s speech promised chocolate milk for all, we didn’t necessarily think anything would come of it – but this will definitely be a story told for years to come in the Geebung State School community,” Ms Douglas said.
“It is wonderful to see that the future is in good hands with little leaders like Mitchell. We are so impressed by his school spirit and for creating such a fun memory that will last a lifetime for every single student.”
To help bring the magic to life, Norco – alongside the co-op's beloved Culture Cow mascot – handed out bottles of its Mighty Cool Chocolate milk, made with children’s needs in mind, using lactose-free, low-fat milk and no added sugar, artificial colours or flavours.
Norco chief executive officer Michael Hampson said milk is a great treat for active kids and supports recovery in growing bodies.
“We couldn’t be happier to have had the chance to work with Mitchell to share the joy of Norco milk to all of his classmates and the wider Geebung Primary School community,” Mr Hampson said.
“Growing kids thrive from nourishing, high quality milk, and our farmers make sure that’s exactly what we deliver – the perfect fuel for active young Aussies to recover after a busy day of running around at school.
“If this is reflective of the calibre of our next generation of leadership, then I think it’s safe to say that the future looks extremely bright.”
Mitchell was presented with his school captain’s badge by State Member for Aspley Bart Mellish at the badge ceremony assembly.
