A colourful cow named Sweet Cowaline has helped Hahndorf Primary School in South Australia take out top honours in Dairy Australia’s Picasso Cows program – a national dairy education initiative bringing food and fibre learning to life through creative cow designs, classroom journals and hands-on activities.
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Fifty-one schools took part in the first round of the 2026 program, reaching hundreds of students across rural and metropolitan Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
Schools receive curriculum-aligned resources and decorate a near life-sized fibreglass cow to reflect their learning.
Two other schools were also recognised for their standout entries:
Best Cow Design: Ajuga School, Glenfield, New South Wales – Ajugie
Best Learning Journal: St Patrick’s Primary School, Kilmore, Victoria – Mrs Milkcowke
The winning schools received $2,000 for the overall winner and $1,000 each for the learning journal and cow design categories.
Beyond the prizes, the program gives students the chance to make learning about dairy tangible – connecting classroom lessons with practical activities that explore how milk is produced, processed and enjoyed.
Students explored dairy in different ways: Hahndorf Primary School made butter, Ajuga School investigated the technology behind milk’s journey from grass to glass, and St Patrick’s Primary School joined a webinar with dairy farmer Harry about life on farm.
St Patrick’s Mrs Milkcowke guiding viewers through an interactive journey using pictures and QR codes.
Their learning came through in the cow designs, from Hahndorf’s Sweet Cowaline celebrating nutritious dairy foods to Ajuga School’s Ajugie showing the connection between cow and factory with a milk tanker-themed dairy cow, and St Patrick’s Mrs Milkcowke guiding viewers through an interactive journey using pictures and QR codes.
Ajuga School’s Ajugie showing the connection between cow and factory with their milk tanker-themed entry.
Since launching in 2007, Picasso Cows has reached more than 150,000 students across Australia, helping schools explore dairy farming, nutrition, animal care, the environment and the farm-to-plate journey.
“At its heart, Picasso Cows is about helping the next generation understand where their food comes from,” said Dairy Australia’s Schools Engagement Advisor Louise Macdonald.
“It touches on so many areas of the national curriculum and invites students to engage in practical, hands-on learning in a creative and collaborative way.”
This year’s entries were judged by educators and Dairy Australia farmer ambassadors Rachel Nicholson and Narelle Zanker, together with Ashley Rosewarne, People and Community Development Project Coordinator with program partner Gardiner Foundation.
Judges assessed entries for creativity, originality and enthusiasm for learning about dairy.
“The imagination and effort all students put into their cows was incredible,” Rachel said.
“Programs like Picasso Cows help young people see the people, animals, and science behind the food they enjoy every day.”
Narelle said the learning journals showed outstanding curiosity, reflection and meaningful learning about dairy farming and dairy nutrition.
“Students were asking thoughtful questions, reflecting on what they discovered and showing a genuine interest in where their food comes from,” said Narelle.
“That sort of engagement is exactly what helps build a stronger understanding of agriculture and dairy farming.”
Ashley said Gardiner was a proud Picasso Cows program partner.
“Picasso Cows has a far-reaching impact for both the students that take part and the broader community,” said Ashley.
“Gardiner is proud to support the sharing of knowledge and development of deeper connections between urban and regional Australians and our dairy farming communities.”
