If there was only one food that defined Australians, it would be Vegemite. We love it! It is part of our identity and embedded into our culture.

Vegemite on Shelves (Photographer Jeannette Haggstrom)

Made from brewer’s yeast, it is a thick black salty savoury paste, best spread thin on bread or toast. It was originally developed by Cyril Callister who was employed as a food technologist for Fred Walker in 1922, and has come in a variety of packaging since.

Vegemite on Toast (Photographer Neil Henry)

The name came about when Fred Walker ran a national competition. The prize was fifty pounds for the lucky winner, a year's salary for some people. Fred Walker’s daughter chose the winning entry but the name of the person was never recorded.

In 1923 Vegemite was launched with these promises:  "It was delicious on sandwiches and toast, and improves the flavour of soups, stews and gravies.”

Over the next 12 years Vegemite competed with difficulty against the English Marmite, which was well accepted in Australia. Then in 1935, a jar of Vegemite was given away with every purchase of a product from the Fred Walker range. The promotion ran for two years, sales soared, and Vegemite became a part of history.

But before you dive in and spread it thickly over your bread, be warned: it has the power to overwhelm non-Australians.

Trying Vegemite (Photographer Raul Naranjo)

We can’t mention Vegemite without mentioning what could be considered Australia’s National Anthem. The Happy Little Vegemite Campaign, featured a jingle that was first performed on radio in 1954, and then later became a black and white commercial on television in 1956. It featured happy, healthy children, having fun, and continued in various ways on radio and television until the late 1960s. The 1980s saw the original commercial colourised, giving new generations of Australians the chance to see happy times now gone, and hear this catchy jingle.

We're happy little Vegemites, as bright as bright can be,
We all enjoy our Vegemite for breakfast, lunch and tea,
Our mummies say we're growing stronger every single week,
Because we love our Vegemite,
We all adore our Vegemite,
It puts a rose in every cheek.

 

Listen to the Happy Little Vegemite Song

 

Happy Little Vegemite (Photographer Sharlene Reynolds)

Vegemite Face (Photographer Mark Hobbs)

The Vegemite Kid (Photographyer Anthony Malloy)

Happy Little Vegemite (Photographer Annabelle Le Dieu)

Travelling Spreads (Photographer Stuart Murdoch)

The Ghost who Spreads (Photographer Scott Sandars)

Vegemite Food Display (Photographer Dave Wenckowski)

Home of Vegemite (Photographer Alison Holcomb)

 

Read more about Australian food and the recipes that we have grown into as a nation. Australian Flavour – The Story of Australian Cuisine

 

Australian Flavour - Front Cover

 

Link to Photographers 

Jeannette Haggstrom 

Neil Henry 

Mark Hobbs

Alison Holcomb 

Annabelle Le Dieu

Anthony Malloy

Stuart Murdoch

Raul Naranjo

Sharlene Reynolds

Scott Sandars

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