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Before The Settlers
Before the English settlers arrived at botany bay, the indigenous people had lived in Australia for tens of thousands of years. They survived on the flora and fauna from the Australian bush, such as kangaroo, fish and berries. They were very spiritual and much of the information was passed down from generation to generation. -
The Settlers
This is when the first fleet had settled in botany bay on exploration trips. They mainly ate the essentials, but didn't realise the natural growth around them. The indigenous people were hunter-gatherers and knew the land. Unfortunately, the settlers did not. -
1788 The First Fleet
Some food items that the English carried with them to the "new land" were Salt Pork, Salt Beef, Cheese, Oatmeal, Peas, Butter, Cheese and Vinegar that were rationed among the convicts and sailors. -
Food and The Settlers
The people from the first fleet did not know how the Australian land was well provided with food. They were blind to what was in front of them with their only interest being the native fish. The people had more of an industrial approach as they were more interested in planting imported foods. Their rations eventually got simplified to salt meat, flour, sugar, tea and excessive spirits. As it can be seen, the first settlers brought an inadequate amount of food for the long term. -
'Squatters'
Around this time, 'squatters' or reasonably privileged adventurers who purchased expensive stock, seized an expanse of land and paid male workers in rations. Their weekly rations usually consisted of 4.5kg of meat, 4.5kg of flour, 1kg sugar and 100g of tea. -
Beer
Foster's beer was brewed by Americans in this time and beer turned into a national beverage. -
Baking
This era ensued a lot of new bakery. Using desiccated coconut became a craze showing up in lamingtons. In this time Anzac biscuits, pumpkin scones and Pavlova were created and became popularised. -
Vegemite
Vegemite was invented in this year. -
The Arrival of Italians
Italian Cuisine first came to Australia in the early 1940's. Originally The Italians brought with them the techniques and recipes for Pizza and at the time pasta was still fairly unknown until the flood of Italians came into Australia. -
Fast Food
Later in this decade, fast food chains became very popularised. -
The Arrival of Vietnamese Food to Australia
The Vietnamese came to Australia almost directly after the end of the Vietnamese war. The Vietnamese had a very large impact on Asian food in Australia. They helped Australia to appreciate Asian food. When the Vietnamese came there was a direct increase in the variety of bread and Asian ingredients. -
Growing Food
Food has come a long way. With 1 in 4 children being obese, but the sight of herbs and tomatoes and fresh ingredients in gardens resurfacing. Hearing chickens in neighbours backyards. -
Food Today
Australian meals today are much more diverse than before, inspired by aisles of cheap ingredients, a platter of cultures and a menu of rejuvenated food interest. In the conventional sense, we have inherited no cuisine unlike other societies with a dominant agrarian background. Instead, Australia's food past was complex, urban, commercial, science and capitalist oriented.