GRANDSON SPREADS INSPIRATIONAL VEGEMITE STORY TO HOBART STUDENTS
Murdoch Books
The grandson of the Man Who Invented Vegemite visited The Lambert School in Hobart Tasmania today to spread his grandfather’s inspirational story.
Jamie Callister spent the past seven years researching and writing his grandfather Cyril Percy Callister’s previously unknown and untold story for his book The Man Who Invented Vegemite, which was released last month (October 2012, Murdoch Books).
“For most of these kids, growing up with Vegemite toast before school or vegemite sandwiches in their lunch is a daily occurrence and a part of our Australian culture,” Jamie said.
“What I want to share with the students is a story of determination and perseverance about a remarkable Australian scientist – my grandfather – who overcame enormous challenges to achieve his dream.”
One of nine children, Cyril was raised by his father, a widower, in the Victorian country town of Chute.
His father encouraged his son’s education and, after gaining a scholarship to the University of Melbourne, Cyril became a leader in his chosen field of science.
Following his return in 1919 from making munitions in the First World War, Cyril was headhunted by entrepreneur Fred Walker to develop a nutritious product from Carlton United Breweries’ spent brewer’s yeast.
“He experimented for months and my father told me stories about how my grandfather would bring home jars of the stuff for him to keep trying. My father was one of his biggest supporters,” Jamie said.
It seems remarkable today, but it took more than 15 years – through the Great Depression and the Second World War – before Vegemite was accepted by Australia.
“It was particularly unpopular with the Australian public and at one time they changed the name to Parwill – but that was unsuccessful,” Jamie said.
“For years more jars were coming back to the factory than going out. The public just couldn’t stomach it and the head salesman didn’t help – he hated the product.
“At one stage they gave the Vegemite away with processed cheese to try to gain some acceptance.
“When things were really grim my grandfather thought he could even be looking for a new job – things were that bad.”
Jamie said his grandfather’s dedication and commitment to his product’s nutritional value, in particular as a rich source of Vitamin B, became Cyril’s life’s work until his death in 1949.
With Vegemite celebrating 90 years in 2013, Jamie wants to share this great Australian story with students around the country so they can take inspiration from his grandfather’s achievements.
“When kids have Vegemite sandwiches in their lunchbox, if they know the story behind the black spread it may encourage them to follow their dreams with the same determination, perseverance and commitment Cyril had,” Jamie said.
Jamie said his grandfather’s story was a remarkable story for all Australians whether you liked the black stuff or not.
“It’s no longer just my story, it’s everyone’s story,” Jamie said.
“And I hope these students can take inspiration from my grandfather’s story – many great things can happen from humble beginnings.”