Trish Cavanagh is still waiting for her life-time supply of Vegemite.
But, after more than 60 years the Tuncurry resident on NSW's Mid North Coast doesn't believe it's on its way anytime soon.
Trish was one of eight youngsters selected from the Helen de Paul School of Dance in Sydney to 'sing' and dance in the now iconic 1950s Vegemite TV advertising campaign, Happy Little Vegemites.
The 68-year-old may not have received a never ending supply of the dark brown Aussie spread, but she was paid the 'handsome' sum of 27 pounds, three more than her cast-mates, and she is now a proud brand ambassador.
Armed with a vast collection of merchandise and enthusiasm - including her much prized, if slightly faded original hat from the advertisement, glasses, watches, photographs and a blanket - Trish visits community clubs and organisations sharing her memories and promoting Vegemite.
With a warm, genuine smile, the youngster was hand-picked to march and mime the catchy jingle on top of a giant jar of Vegemite and to bite into a piece of toast smothered in the spread.
In fact, Trish had to beam and bite more than 20 times just to get the correct camera angle.
The three different versions of the black and white advertisement were filmed over three days at the Pagewood Studios in Sydney during the May school holidays.
"Nobody had any idea this (advertisement) would become part of Australian history, " Trish said.
"It is a sound instantly recognised as part of Australia."
In 2009 the jingle - written by Alan Weekes of Sydney-based advertising agency J Walter Thompson - was inducted into the National Film & Sound Archive Sound of Australia Registry.
Nobody had any idea this (advertisement) would become part of Australian history.
- Trish Cavanagh
Two of the advertisements have also been been safely stored in the Canberra-based archives. The third is missing.
Trish said she was both privileged and proud to have been part of Australia history and had no idea at the time of the impact the advertisement would have on her life.
It is hard to believe the thick brown spread, developed by Melbourne chemist Cyril Callister at the request of businessman Fred Walker in the early 1920s as a means of making use of left-over yeast, didn't become the popular toast topper it is today until the advertisement.
Vegemite was included in ration packs during World War II and was promoted as a healthy food for children at the same time.
Trish reunited with her fellow Vegemite kids in 2007 for the 50th anniversary of the advertisement.
"It was a huge reunion at the Langham Hotel (Sydney); there was media everywhere, the place was packed."
She said the only obstacle at the time for the organisers was trying to identify the original eight kids.
"Thirteen resurfaced and claimed to all be Vegemite kids," she said.
Trish is excitedly waiting for the spread's 100th anniversary celebrations in 2023.
She still eats her Vegemite every single day.
For those of you not familiar with the tune, here it is:
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.
Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
