What does Vegemite mean to you? Looking for an Aussie to answer. But anyone will do.?

Question

How does Vegemite create a sense of national identity within Australia?

Cheers.

Answer 1

Exactly the same as the original Marmite and Bovril (British names) and all as vile as each other.

Vegemite was actually based on Marmite and Bovril (just a different marketing name), so we can only blame the British for this disgusting invasion.

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Answer 2

lots of love.

Answer 3

im australian, i was born there and moved to america in 2004. but i LOVE vegemite. i miss that stuff, it was so good. it creates a national identity because you can't think of australia and not think of vegemite. its one of the biggest things aus is known for. alot of people don't like it but i love it, i might even get some sent over here. its so good on pancakes too

Answer 4

Today it meant lunch I had vegemite roll  funny while I was eating it  I thought not a week goes by that I don't have vegemite.

When my kids were little the only thing they had on toast was vegemite I didn't want them to develop a sweet tooth.

When I worked in a school canteen I was pleased to see the half a vegemite roll for play lunch was still as popular as ever.

We identify with it because we were bought up on it.

Answer 5

It is part of our daily ritual!!

Either on toast for brekkie or a sanga for lunch.

I was just explaining to my 5 yr old the other day that we are special because we are th only people who eat it :)

Answer 6

I grew up on it and still love it.  What can I say.  How can vegemite not be a national identity within Australia, when generations of Australians have eaten it since babyhood through to old age. I heard that the Americans bought it, couldn't handle it, and even though they are supposed to own it - they sell it back to us... but that could be an urban legend lol.  Anyway, it doesn't matter, it'll always ours (Aussies) no matter what.

Answer 7

Vegemite means breakfast.. Veg on toast mmmm.

Answer 8

We grew up with it as children having it spread on toast. Invented in Australia, most of us know the vegemite song.

"We're happy little vegemites".

Answer 9

Vegemite is and was produced by Aussies originally and there was also a competition held to decide on the name. It is sold nation-wide and we are just well known for it. Actually im not sure if that answers the question or not.... Hmmm.... Quick someone cover for me.

Answer 10

Almost nothing.  It is a food product which is far from unique in the world but has been promoted, mostly by Kraft (a US company) as being such.  I can live without it thanks.  

I doubt it creates any sense of national identity except in a trivial way.

Likewise, "Aeroplane Jelly" was supposed to be some sort of national icon but it was rarely available outside New South Wales.

Answer 11

It's not a case of national identity in the larger scheme of things, it's more that it is identified as uniquely Australian (its overseas ownership notwithstanding). Australians are so well fed on Vegemite from a young age that its salty yum-ness is palatable mostly only to us (remember that the British Marmite predates it). But it's an Australian icon.

It's something we crave when away from home...not because we really NEED concentrated yeast extract on our toast, just because the sight, smell and taste of it is so familiar to us...it's like a security blanket.

I like it because it's got lots of vitamin B in it and when I'm working during the day and doing theatre at night I get run down and Veggie on toast is a good replenishment of vitamin B.