Free Vegemite Sandwiches … Yippee!

In my new book, Yanks in the Outback: A story of Woomera, South Australia, the Joint Defense Facility Nurrungar (JDFN) and the First Gulf War, I write about a very important subject – Vegemite.  It seemed one of the biggest perks about working at the Woomera tracking station was the free vegemite sandwiches!  You see, the cafeteria tables were lined with tins full of sliced bread, bowls of butter and jars of vegemite … hence, you had everything you needed to make a vegemite sandwich.  And, the best part – it was free!  More good news; the tables were re-stocked with these items at regular intervals.  The Aussies loved it – free vegemite sandwiches – I’m in!

Here’s the entry from my book …

Vegemite and the Cafeteria

7 Feb 1990 Wednesday

By the way, there’s another free item on the cafeteria menu.  No, I’m not talking about tea; although you’re right, it’s free too.  I’m talking about an Aussie staple.  Aussie’s can live off this stuff; it’s the Vegemite Sandwich!

There’s only one problem.  You see, as of right now, I’m not a vegemite fan; I don’t like the stuff.  It’s a black paste made from vegetable extract.  It has a very strong unique taste; like a bouillon cube except spreadable.

But, that doesn’t matter.  The Aussie’s would riot if you took the vegemite sandwich off the free menu!

Today for example, I witnessed a somewhat heated exchange.  A US Air Force Capt, Jerry Purvis shot out, “How can you eat that stuff?  Tastes like axil grease!”

Capt Purvis directed his disgust at Mark, who works for the APS (Australian Protective Service) and was happily assembling a vegemite sandwich.

Mark calmly continued spreading vegemite on top of the butter that had been previously lovingly spread on the fresh white bread.  Then when Mark finished his masterpiece he looked up at Capt Purvis and asked, “So, you don’t like vegemite, mate?

“No way – Hate the stuff!”  Replied the defiant Capt.

“So, that means you won’t be digging your grubby hands into the vegemite jar?”  Mark asked while glancing down at the half eaten jar of vegemite.

“You won’t catch me touching any vegemite jars!”  Capt Pervis stammered.

Mark then looked up calmly at the disjointed Capt and just before taking a luscious bite of his vegemite masterpiece said, “Good, then there will be more for me!”

After a bit of snickering laughter from the other Aussies at the table, Capt Purvis turned and slowly walked away.  Hopefully he learned a valuable lesson – don’t disrespect the vegemite!

I certainly learned the lesson.

***

I feel at home in the cafeteria.  It’s very welcoming.

I think a description of this happy gathering place is appropriate.

The cafeteria is set up with rows of tables.  I like this.  It facilitates people eating together; you just sit down and before you know it there are people around you sharing a meal.  It’s a great way to get to know people; great for someone new like me; great way to build good relationships.

The tables are decorated with some very important items.  These items appear every three feet or so and seem critical to the wellbeing of the site personnel –especially the Aussies.  This decorative group consists of the following:  One tin container – with lid – filled with white or wheat bread, one jar of vegemite, one dish of butter packets, and a salt and pepper shaker combo.

So, it’s almost impossible to go hungry at the site.  Even if you have no money, you can live off the free coffee or tea and the free bread, butter and vegemite!  Most of the Yanks leave the vegemite alone, but they wouldn’t starve.  And, the Aussies view the free vegemite sandwiches as probably one of the biggest perks for working here!

So, life in the cafeteria is good.  When the troubles of the day get me down, I can always stroll out to the cafeteria and have a hot cup of coffee and some bread and butter.

And, later on, I hope to learn to acquire a taste for vegemite.  Why?  Because when I watch the Aussies eat it they look so happy; so satisfied; so content.  I want some of that!